CLEAN PAIR OF HEALS

Reprieve gives Sarah huge motivation în World Champs 1500m final

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

SARAH HEALY was devastated when she left the Japan National Stadium on Sunday night after failing to make the World Athletics Championships final.

Only minutes later, however, she was promoted from seventh to sixth in the 1500m semifinal standings following a disqualification and the 24-year-old will take her place in her first global final today (2.05pm Irish time).

The reprieve has focused Healy on taking full advantage of her situation. "Not without drama and not what I envisioned, but intent on making the most of this opportunity," she posted on Instagram.

Healy, who was crowned 3,000m European indoor champion in March, looked in good shape to make the final until she was clipped at the bell and her race went pear-shaped from there.