Chamney's hopes dashed in slow heat

Thomas Chamney's World Championships campaign is over after he disappointed in this morning's 800 metres heats at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The Irish champion was run out of contention, finishing fifth in his heat in 1 minute, 48.09 seconds. Three automatic qualifiers advanced to tomorrow's semi-finals.

Chamney's chances of going through as a fastest loser were dashed by the sluggish pace in a race which included American champion Nick Symmonds, Sudan's Olympic silver medallist Ismail Ahmed Ismail and Belai Mansoor Ali of Bahrain.

Chamney, who set a new personal best of 1:45.41 last month, took up position at the tail end of a lead group of six as the bell sounded for the final lap.

As he tried to make his move on the outside around the final bend, Ismail managed to muscle in front of him and with little momentum, the Clonmel athlete was left fighting it out for the minor placings as Symmonds (1:47.12), Ali (1:47.16) and Ismail (1:47.20) secured the top three spots.

The 25-year-old Olympian will have bitter memories of his first World Championships, having also failed to qualify from the 1500m heats last Saturday.

Two other Irish competitors are in action in the German capital today. Kilkenny's Eileen O'Keeffe will be hoping to qualify for the hammer final - qualification in group A gets underway at 1.15pm Irish time.

Former European indoor 3000m champion Alistair Cragg, who recently won the national title in a Clonliffe Harriers vest, will go in the second of the 5000m heats at 6.15pm Irish time.