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Cuddihy on the way to fourth place of her 400m heat. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Rain dance: Downpour brings relief for Cuddihy in 400 metre heats

The sprinter was scathingly self-critical of her 52.09 finish, but as conditions changed, it proved enough to qualify for the next phase.

Updated 13:00

JOANNE CUDDIHY WAS the first Irish athlete involved as Olympic interest turned to track and field in east London this morning.

The Kilkenny woman looked well positioned after 300 metres, but finished fourth in her 400 metre heat. Just outside the automatic qualification places with a time of 52.09.

Cuddihy, 28, faced an anxious wait through the following heats to see if she would make it as one of the three fastest runners-up.

In the immediate aftermath, before a sudden downpour gave the surface less traction, Cuddihy felt that the time would not be good enough:

“I’m gutted really.” She told Will Downing, “That’s just not good enough. My legs just absolutely died in the latter bit of the race.

“With nerves before the race, I was worried that I’d chicken out and be over-cautious. I probably overcompensated for that and just went for it.

“It wasn’t intended to be such a suicide mission. I really thought from training that’s where I need to do. I genuinely thought I could do it, it was only towards the end that I just couldn’t do anything about it. I tried everything I could.”

That effort, as it turned out, was enough to put her through as the following competitors struggled on the wet ground.

Still out of breath, Cuddihy said her time was “abysmal”, but added that:

“I’d be the happiest person here today if that [qualifying] was to happen.”

She’s done it.

LIVE: London 2012 Olympics, day seven

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8 Comments
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    Mute Conor Gallagher
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 12:30 PM

    Rain to slow down the later qualifiers and save “our girl”?

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    Mute Riaran Coarty
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 12:51 PM

    “everywhere you go, always take the weather with you!”

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    Mute Conor Gallagher
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 12:56 PM

    In the crowded house of the olympic stadium, the dream is (not) over and she did not fall at your feet and it’s better she won’t be home soon. [apologies, but George Hamilton is commentating]

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    Mute Conor Gallagher
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 1:08 PM

    (just to point out that my initial comment was made with 3 qualifying races to go and was said in hope but it looks kinda petty now). Congrats Joanne!

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    Mute Conor Conneally
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 2:14 PM

    “That effort, as it turned out, was enough to put her through as the following competitors struggled on the wet ground.”

    I think the rain could be our ace in the hole. Our Athletes are well used to training in wet conditions, Whereas the competitors from hot African countries wouldn’t be able to cope with the wet weather. So lets hope for good Irish weather in London!

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    Mute Sean Farrell
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 2:22 PM

    Except that Joanne didn’t run in wet conditions. She ran on a dry track and benefited because the weather turned nasty for everyone else.

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    Mute Rodger O Waters
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 1:15 PM

    Every cloud eh

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Aug 3rd 2012, 1:25 PM

    Well done all the same

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