Tokyo Olympics: Jodie Williams books place in women’s 400m final with personal best

Team GB star Jodie Williams fires warning to 400m rivals as British runner warns ‘I came here to WIN’ after setting personal best to book her place in Friday’s final in Tokyo

Jodie Williams has advanced to the women’s 400m final after the Team GB star clocked a personal best to finish second in her semi-final on Wednesday. 

The 27-year-old has entered the Olympic Games in buoyant mood having won bronze at the European Indoor Championships this year, and was returning to the track after sailing through her heat.

And Williams held off the challenge of Jamaica’s Roneisha McGregor and the United States’ Wadeline Jonathas to finish second with a time of 49.96 seconds – her best ever run.  

Jodie Williams fired a warning shot to her rivals as she booked her place in the 400m final

Williams finished second behind Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, with the 2016 Olympic champion coasting through ahead of the rest of the field. 

The Briton says she goes into Friday’s final to win as she looks to put past disappointments behind her in Tokyo.

‘This is what I came here to do,’ the Welwyn Garden City-born runner told the BBC. ‘I have let myself down the last couple of years. 2018 I didn’t make the European final, 2019 I had the season of my life and didn’t;’t make the Doha final. 

The Team GB star set a personal best of 49.96 seconds to advance to Friday's showpiece

The Team GB star set a personal best of 49.96 seconds to advance to Friday’s showpiece

Williams, 27, says she 'came here to win' in a clear message ahead of the final showdown

Williams, 27, says she ‘came here to win’ in a clear message ahead of the final showdown

‘So for me I had no choice but to be in this final. I can’t let myself down anymore, I have to do myself proud.’

On her personal best effort, Williams reflected: ‘I told myself on that start line “you better run 49 [seconds] I don’t care what it takes”. 

‘I come back here in two days and I will be pushing for a medal for sure. I came here to medal, I came here to win. At this point in my career that’s what I am going for. 

‘I feel like this is my time, I am going to do myself proud and I am going to challenge for sure.’  



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