Sarah Healy sprints to Diamond League victory in Rome

"I know I’m good at hard, fast races, but races like this were more where I struggled so I’m really, really happy to win – it’s really cool.” 

Ireland's Sarah Healy reacts after winning the women's 1500m at the Diamond League meeting in Rome. Pic: TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Sarah Healy called on all her speed and racing guile to claim the first Diamond League win of her career in Rome on Friday night, the Dubliner kicking to victory over 1500m at the Stadio Olimpico in 3:59.17.

In a race that set off fast, then slowed after halfway, the athletes bunched together on the penultimate lap, with Healy losing a couple of metres after being barged as the field passed the bell with a lap to run. Nonetheless, she soon coasted back into contention on the back straight and then had to utilise all her gears up the home straight, powering to the front in the last 40 metres to edge Australian duo Sarah Billings (3:59.24) and Abbey Caldwell (3:59.32).