Athletics: O'Sullivan sets pace in Lisbon qualifiers

Sonia O'Sullivan was in impressive form as she posted the fastest qualifying time in winning her heat of the 3,000m at the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon.

The Corkwoman came in at 8:55.79, just ahead of defending champion Gabriela Szabo of Romania and Russian Olga Yegorova.

O'Sullivan is renewing rivalries with Szabo for the first time since the Sydney Olympics and has not competed in this event since winning the silver medal in the 3,000m in Paris four years ago.

In the men's event, Mark Carroll qualified as one of the fastest losers when he came in in seventh place in 7:53.64.