Despite looking in contention in the first lap of her 800m heats in Rio this afternoon, Kilkenny City Harriers and UCD athlete finishing last in a time of 2:07.91, over 4 seconds off seventh and just over 7 seconds off heat-winner Team GB’s Lynsey Sharp who took first place in a time of 2:00.83.
Serbia’s Amelia Terzic finished with a burst from third to make second in a time of 2:00.99 to seal automatic qualification to the next round.
https://twitter.com/clairetarplee/status/765912446108327936
“As an Athlete you might never get this opportunity again”, is how Ciara put things to KCLR before heading out to Rio.
“The Olympics is the pinnacle of my Sport and this has been like a dream that I have had since been a kid”.
Temperatures around race time were approaching 27-28 degrees and warmer still with the heat itself being run at quite a tight pace.
Here’s some of the online reaction to her race.
Disappointment for Ciara Everard, last in her heat, quite outside her PB. The heat is definitely a factor today I think. #Olympics
— Barry Brett-McStay (@bazmcstay) August 17, 2016
@ciara_everard getting to the olympics is some achievement you did yourself and country proud. #éireabú
— MacGiollaC (@MacGiollaC) August 17, 2016
Ciara Everard 8th in heat 1 in 2:07.91 of the women's 800m #Rio2016
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 17, 2016
@ciara_everard Hard luck Ciara but you are our Olympian! @KKCityHarriers @irishathletics #rterio2016
— Seán Ó hArgáin (@seanohargain) August 17, 2016
@ciara_everard good effort, always an Olympian now 🍀
— Shane Smullen (@smull01) August 17, 2016
Story developing.