Kenyan Charles Simotwo managed to sneak in as the sixth fastest non-automatic qualifier after clocking 3min 37.26sec in Willis’ heat. So, for all the talk about a changing of the guard from Willis to exciting prospect Tanner, the Rio bronze medallist remains the top dog.
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The ageless Nick Willis has qualified for yet another Olympics 1500m semifinal. “The pace was very moderate [to start], which suited me ‘cause I’m old, I don’t like a fast first lap, but then the Aussie, Stewart McSweyn, really wound it up the middle laps and that suited me really well also, so I was very fortunate to get towed through to a really good time, and it was fortunately fast enough to get through,” Willis said.
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