LAURA MUIR will go for gold on Monday night after an impressive display in the semi-final of the World Championships 1500metres.
Muir is one of the leading contenders to medal in a high class field as she continues to show she belongs at the top level of global middle distance running.
The 24-year-old from Scotland has had to cope with the pressure of being the British poster girl coming into the competition on the back of some barnstorming runs this year.
And the pressure is showing no sign of getting to the trainee vet following another composed performance to ease her way into he final.
Muir looked composed throughout he semi in a top class field loaded with talent.
After positioning herself in the pack well throughout, the British star eased into second position as she took the bell to ensure she would escape any barging in the pack.
And she was easing down as she crossed the finish in second, just a tenth behind Kenya’s Kipyegon who is another who is targeting gold in Monday’s final.
Muir said: “I just wanted to get through to that semi-final. That field was good enough to be a final.
“I was surprised with how well I felt. I just wanted to stay out of trouble, especially after a girl went down out there. I’m delighted to reach the final.”
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Kipyegon knows Muir will be the huge home favourite on Monday night but she promised to use the loud vocal backing of her rival to inspire her more.
She said: “What I can say about the final is that everybody is very strong in our event and everybody can win. I know Muir is there, (Caster) Semenya is there, so everybody can win the race.
“The cheering for Muir also gives me some motivation to do what I have to do and it is her home crowd, so I know everybody is going to cheer for her and we are going to show the best.”
In the second semi-final, Olympic champion Sifan Hassn showed she will be hard to beat when the crunch comes with a commanding run of her own to take victory.
Laura Weightman will be the second Brit in the final after a storming final 100m to secure a qualification berth – but Jess Judd and Sarah McDonald bowed out despite brave runs.
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