Willis misses semifinal spot

Nick Willis has finished ninth in his fifth Olympic 1500m semi-final at his fifth consecutive Olympics at the Tokyo Games.

Nick Willis
Photo: Photosport

After winning silver in 2008 and bronze in 2016, Willis missed out on another final despite clocking 3min 35.41sec, a new season’s best.

It was his best time in three years, but not good enough to progress further.

“It was a perfect situation for me to be able to have a chance at qualifying for one of those fastest time spots,” Willis told Sky following the race.

“But I was two spots out of that so, head held high I’m really proud of myself.”

The 38-year-old said that any pre-race nerves were long gone

“I don’t get nervous any more. The only thing I’m nervous for is the pain. Not for my result, I don’t care about my result, it’s more I’m worried I’m not going to reach the finish line.”

Willis said he hadn’t yet thought about what might come next.

“I honestly haven’t, that’s sort of the fun thing is I haven’t even contemplated what I’m going to do. I’ve committed to my training partners, I’m going to train through to the next Olympics and pace them every single day and help them, but from a racing standpoint no idea.

“I just love running and at 38 to feel lean and mean… it’s a real privilege. Running’s keeping me feeling amazing and I want to keep feeling like this as long as I can.”