Balham’s Olympian middle-distance runner Snowden thrilled to prove her supporters right
By ALEX SEFTEL
Team GB and Herne Hill Harriers distance runner Katie Snowden says she is delighted to be able to “prove right” those who have supported her on her journey to making her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The 27-year-old from Balham, who finished sixth in the final of the European Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland in March, repeated the feat with sixth – and a personal best – early this morning, August 2, in the heats of the 1500 metres.
It has been a long journey to the sport’s top level for an athlete who won the Commonwealth Youth Games 10 years ago – and has been mentioned in the South London Press regulary since 2009 in runs for Herne Hill Harriers.
She had already lowered her personal best time by more than two seconds this year, with a fastest clocking of 4:02.98 set in California in May – before doing that in Heat 3 in Tokyo today with a time of 4mins 2.77 secs.
That was enough for her to qualify for the semi-finals which are at about 11am GB time on Wednesday.
Snowden has paid tribute to those who have kept faith in her despite struggling with injury over the past few years.
“They’ve just been really proud,” she said. “You forget that although it is an individual sport, it’s actually a whole team of people that get you there.
“I’ve had some tough injuries the last couple of years. My family and club have really stuck by me and kept that belief, so I think now to prove them right, it’s just a nice feeling for all of us.”
The University of Nottingham geography graduate, who also made the final of the 2018 Commonwealth Games with Team England, is determined not to get carried away by the occasion.
“I’ve seen some people posting ‘I’m an Olympian’ but you have to step on the start line and actually race the race and then you’re an Olympian,” she said. “I think that’s when it sinks in that you have really achieved it.”
Snowden will have a day to recover if she qualifies for Wednesday’s semi-finals, with the 1500m final taking place on Friday inside the Japan National Stadium where compatriot Laura Muir is expected to be one of Team GB’s strongest medal contenders.