• World Athletics Championships

Nightmare for Ohuruogu after disqualification in Daegu

Christine Ohuruogu was disqualified for a false start © Getty Images

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Great Britain's World Athletics Championships got off to a disappointing start when Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu was disqualified from the women's 400m for a false start.

The 2007 world champion has been struggling for form this year and her season came to an abrupt end when she was penalised for jumping the gun in the third heat. The red card was shown and Ohuruogu was led off the track in tears.

The news will be a blow for head coach Charles van Commenee, who has targeted seven medals from Daegu.

"Of all the people it could have happened to me, it had to be me," said a disconsolate Ohuruogu. "It's just ironic. I just wanted to get a good start because I knew it would be a fast round. I just can't believe it.

"I knew it was me straight away. I've worked really hard to turn the last three weeks around and I'm just really upset for my coach, who has worked to get me in shape. I just feel really bad for him."

There was better news for her team-mate Lee McConnell, who finished third in her heat in a time of 52.75 seconds to progress to the semi-finals.

Earlier in the day as Andrew Osagie finished second in his heat to qualify for the 800m semi-finals, but European silver medallist Michael Rimmer failed to progress.

Steve Lewis qualified for the pole vault final, but his training partner, reigning world champion, Australia's Steve Hooker crashed out after three failures at 5.50 metres. Barbara Parker made it through the 3000m steeplechase heats.

Kenya's Edna Kiplagat claimed the first gold medal, recovering from a fall to win in the women's marathon. Kiplagat crossed the line in a time of two hours, 28 minutes and 43 seconds to take the gold ahead of compatriots Priscah Jeptoo and Sharon Cherop.

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