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News07 Mar 1999


Women 800m final

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Women 800m Final
Mozambique’s Maria Mutola, the overwhelming favourite to retain a title she had won on three previous occasions, was handed a rare defeat by Czech athlete Ludmila Formanova in a world leading 1:56.90 - the second fastest time in history. As expected, Mutola went to the front from the gun, going through 200m in 26.65 and the 400m point in 55.39. But she was unable to shake off Formanova and in the final straight Mutola began to tire, allowing the Czech past for a famous victory. Formanova, who won the European outdoor title last year, is coached by the outdoor 800m world record holder Jarmila Kratochvilova.

The race call in Real Audio

Gold Medallist - FORMANOVA Ludmila (CZE)
"This is a dream come true. Yesterday before going to sleep I was wonderinging if MUTOLA could be beaten at all. And then I said to myself -Buddy, it must be possible! -My coach (Jarmila KRATOCHVILOVA) gave me an example from history when she won over Marita KOCH.
In the race my tactic was to follow MUTOLA as close as possible and to avoid any kind of collision. With the last 60 meters I was going to give my everything."

Silver Medallist - MUTOLA Maria Lurdes (MOZ)
"A tough race. In championships you just never know how the race will pan out. I have seen TSYGANOVA (bronze) very little this season and she has surprised me, but of course FORMANOVA (gold) was always the danger as she was in splendid form throughout the winter.
I liked to go into competition and compete, I do not hide from races or opponents and maybe this makes me a little open to attack at the major games. The race is now over I can say no more, now I must rest and look to Seville and a gold."

Bronze Medallist - TSYGANOVA Natalya (RUS)
"I am content with my first medal. This is my second Russian record this season, but I was not expecting to get third. The pace was fast which helped me a lot. I would like to repeat this performance in Seville."