Ciara Mageean broke her own national record last night at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
The County Down athlete finished fourth in the 1500 metre final, half a second behind bronze medal winner Siffan Hassan, with Faith Kipyegon winning gold and silver going to Diribe Welteji.
Mageen took two hundredths of a second off the national record in a time of 3:56:61, and speaking afterwards said she was incredibly proud of her effort last night.
"I was ready for it to be even faster, I feel like I ran a very tactically good race.
"Honestly I believe I'm ready for any race that's in front of me, whether it's tactical or fast, and I was prepared to do whatever I have to do to be up there.
"I knew I had to be in a place to be competitive at the bell, I did that. To be competitive at 200, I did that.
"I just needed a little something extra in the home straight, unfortunately I didn't have that.
"Fourth in the world, and to say I'm disappointed is a pretty good place to be."
A look back at that record breaking run from @ciaramageean 🤩
🔥3:56.61 NR🇮🇪#IrishAthletics pic.twitter.com/cpB54wM4cq— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 22, 2023
"To come away with fourth is so bittersweet. I'll probably have a wee bit of a cry.
"But many years ago I wouldn't have dreamt of fourth in the world.
"I just know that I have it, it's there. Another year to Olympics."
- @ciaramageean. 💚#TeamIreland #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/sO5fa1OLlD— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 22, 2023
