Steven Gardiner and Jamaica's Rusheen McDonald (right) compete in the men’s 400m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing. (AP)
By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
BEIJING, China — Steven Gardiner was left a little baffled by his performance. He couldn’t describe what went wrong as he came off the bend out of contention and ended up in seventh place in his semi-final heat of the men’s 400 metres in his global debut at the 15th IAAF World Championships at the Bird’s Nest last night.
“I have no idea. I guess what happened, happened,” he said when asked about his performance.
“I came a long way to get here and made the semis but didn’t advance to the final, but I feel right about it.
The 19-year-old, who this year lowered the national record of 44.40 held by Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown to 44.27, didn’t have anything left in the tank after he had to power off the final curve out of lane nine for a second place comeback in the first round in 45.26.
Running out of lane six, Gardiner got caught in the middle of the pack on the back stretch. But as he came off the final curve and onto the home stretch, he literally found himself trying to just stay in the race that was won by Isaac Makwala of Botswana in the fastest qualifying time of 44.11.
“Things happen,” said Gardiner of getting his first taste of two gruelling rounds back-to-back. “It is what it is.”
The relays is next on the agenda here for Gardiner, who indicated that he will be ready to run if he is selected by the coaching staff.
As for the way he ended his individual race, finishing in a two-way tie for 16th place overall with Trinidad & Tobago’s Renny Quow, Gardiner said he’s not at all happy, but he will have to chalk it up to a “learning” experience.
“I just have to move on and try again next year,” he said.
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