GOLD MEDALMercy CHERONO (KEN) 8:55.07
"It feels so good. I was so happy because I had defended my gold.
"The best part was that I felt so comfortable out there.
"My plan was to defend my gold ... but the race was difficult because of the weather.
"I expected to have more of a lead [at the end of the race]."
SILVER MEDAL - Emebet ANTENEH (ETH) 8:55.24
"The weather is a bit challenging but otherwise, it was a great race.
"I have a good finishing kick so my plan was to kick with 200m to go, but when others boxed me in, I took off earlier in the last lap. My mistake was to not position myself better earlier.
"I used all my strength there. My goal was to win and that's what I've been training towards. I didn't succeed but hopefully next time I will."
BRONZE MEDAL - Layes ABDULLAYEVA (AZE) 8:55.33
"The pace was a bit slow at the beginning so I kept trying to speed it up. But in the end I couldn't manage because I’ve been having some knee pain.
"I was born in Debre Zeit [in Ethiopia] but I grew up in Addis Ababa and began running there.
"I settled permanently in Azerbaijan about two years ago, but I was in the process of moving there for a while before that.
"My next goal is the European Championships, in a couple weeks' time. I’ll be running the steeplechase.
22nd PLACE - Caroline PFISTER (CAN) 9:47.55
"It wasn’t my best time but was in my range. It was really something to run in a full stadium. It was a first for me and a special experience. At the start I felt quite a bit of pressure and was quite nervous but I just tried to think positively. I was surprised we were all together at the first kilometer but the leaders really picked up the pace at the end. I now have the rest of the week to cheer on my teammates.
"When I get home to Quebec I will show the young athletes I coach my Canadian team uniform and tell them how lucky they are to be in athletics because it is a great sport."
