Nolan tenth in 1500 semi-final

Offaly runner James Nolan finished well outside of the qualification reckoning in his 1500m semi-final last night in the Olympic stadium, clocking 3:42.61 for tenth behind race winner Adil Kaouch.

The UCD athlete, who spent his winter training in Potchefstroom, South Africa, struggled with the opening pace of Kenyan Bernard Lagat who took them through 800 in 1:56.74.

Positioning himself at the back of the field, Nolan was hampered by the fall of Algerian Tarek Boukensa with two laps remaining and never figured in the lead group of eight.

Moroccan Kaouch claimed victory, and the first of five automatic places in the final, in 3:35.69 - ironically the exact same time that Nolan ran twelve months ago in Heusden, Belgium, to qualify for these Games.

The 27-year-old has failed to match his 2003 form this year, posting a season's best of 3:37.85 last month, once more in Heusden.

In reaching the semi-final, Nolan did better his Sydney performance of ninth in the heat, and was satisfied with his run.

"I ran ok. I was a bit out of my depth, being honest," stated the Irish 800m champion, "I'm pleased, I got into the top 20 in the world.

"I have to be realistic. It's a better performance than Sydney and I have been struggling with a few injuries."

Undoubtedly a major talent, Nolan currently coaches himself and crucially, has never run under the 3:40 barrier in five years of competing at major track championships.

Gold medal favourite Hicham El Guerrouj made sure of another final appearance, winning the slower second heat in a time of 3:40.87.