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Molly Huddle celebrates too early, loses out on medal in Beijing

Dan Quarrell

Updated 25/08/2015 at 16:58 GMT

American athlete Molly Hurdle celebrated too early in the women's 10,000m at the World Championships in Beijing - and it cost her the bronze medal.

Celebration fail

Image credit: Eurosport

Huddle threw her arms in the air thinking she had sealed the bronze medal, only to realise to her dismay that she had been pipped on the line by compatriot Emily Infeld.
Having run such a long distance, it was agonising to watch as Huddle coasted through the line while Infeld dipped and made sure that she grabbed a last-gasp bronze from her team-mate.
"Emily slipped on the inside as I eased up a bit, she got this once-in-a-lifetime moment," Huddle said after the race.
"I feel like it kind of slipped through my fingers, so it's frustrating.
"In that last half step, I just let up too much. Emily [Infield] was right there the whole time with just more momentum. She got that bronze. It's going to take a long time to get over.
"I just didn't want to mess up on the last lap - and I did. I don't know when that chance will come again."
A relieved Infeld said: "I just ran through the line. I feel a little guilty because I feel like Molly let up a little.
"I don't think she realised how close I was. I was just trying to run through the line. I'm really thrilled."
Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya won the gold medal ahead of Ethiopian Gelete Burka in second place.
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