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A personal best in a 400m European Indoor final and fourth place for Phil Healy. It was said, Healy would have to run the race of her life to earn herself a medal and she came agonisingly close.
Speaking ahead of the final last night, Healy said, “When there’s no pressure on you, you’re dangerous. I’m going to go out [in the final] and give it my all.” She certainly delivered on her words.
In a stacked field, the Bandon bullet gave it everything and almost pulled off an incredible comeback as she fought valiantly for that bronze medal position.
As expected, there was little in it in for the race for that podium position. GB’s Jodie Williams claimed third place with a time of 51.73, with Phil Healy just behind her with a time of 51.94.
Healy smashed her own personal best in a European final which doesn’t happen to often. Her time of 51.94 is just short of the All-Time Irish record set by Karen Shinkins back in 2002, which currently sits at 51.58.
It was tense and the silence was unbearable before the athletes were let off. Healy made it to the 100m mark in third and even when she got stuck in between the field she never gave up. Never giving up, the will and determination was evident as Healy left everything out on the track to pass the Netherland’s Lieke Klaver and just fall short of that third-place position.
As expected, the Netherland’s Femke Bol eased her way to victory with incredible ease to claim the title by some distance, with a time of 50.63. Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Erestic claimed silver with a time of 51.41.
Ireland's Phil Healy finishes 4th after an impressive run in the final of the 400m as Femke Bol of Netherlands takes gold #Torun2021 @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/Xy6CHPQ001
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 6, 2021
Speaking to RTE, Healy said, “Look, it is just short of the medals and its disappointing because its so close but It’s a European final, it’s fourth place , it’s a PB, I can’t ask for anymore.”
“Coming into a final, its bonus territory. I’m buzzing and to come away with that performance in that world class field, I’m thrilled.”
It’s certainly been a coming-of-age championships for Healy who has cemented herself as one of the top runners in Europe.
Tokyo is now in sights and Healy will be looking to qualify for two events – the 200m and the 400m.
Phil Healy is "buzzing" after her performance in a world class field in the final of the 400m #Torun2021 @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/pUgnjO7P6R
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 6, 2021
