Another St Albans athlete has managed to make big strides at the 2024 Paris Olympics - qualifying for the 3,000m steeplechase.

Lizzie Bird, a former member of the Welwyn-based Herts Phoenix club as well as an ex-pupil of St Albans School, was running in the second semi-final with the top five in each the only ones to go through. 

Ranked 11th in the world, she was expected to get through but not without a bit of work.

Bird got herself into the front group which had reduced to seven at the bell.

The final lap brought the frantic dash and it was down to six over the final flight, with Bird at the back of the pack.

She opted to go on the inside where there didn't seem to be a gap.

However, she managed to sneak through literally on the final stride, finishing fourth in nine minutes 16.46 seconds.

Bird had also reached the final at Tokyo 2020, finishing ninth in her first Games in what was then a PB of 9:19.68.

In the intervening period, she has reduced that to 9:07.87, while she also claimed silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Semi-final one here in Paris was won by Peruth Chemutai in 9:10.50 with Bird's British team-mate Amy Proud coming 10th.

The final is on Tuesday at 8.10pm.

Another St Albans athlete, Phoebe Gill, goes in the first 800m semi-final later on Sunday, due off at 7.35pm.