Launceston’s recent middle-distance convert Abbey de la Motte ran down a strong back straight on her second lap to hand Australia the baton lead at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.
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The brilliant second-leg performance proved instrumental earning her 4 x 800m relay team the world bronze medal in a time of 8:21.08.
The 23-year-old started the changeover from national 800m champion Lora Storey in second spot. Australia would finish behind the Americans and Belarus.
“I thought she’d do well over there and she certainly lived up to that,” coach Peter Fortune said afterwards.
Fortune, her coach since 2011, was effusive in his praise for de la Motte, adding she is “very good competitor” and is “not one that goes to water” under pressure.
The former 400m runner’s injuries curtailed the promising Australian junior, but has since moved onto the 800m.
“She couldn’t do the real fast-speed work for the 400,” Fortune said. “It was always destined to be the 800.
“Injuries just helped make the decision a bit quicker.”
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
