Track and field got off to a blistering start this morning in Rio 2016 with history being made by Almaz Ayana winning the first Athletics Olympic Gold in a WR time of 29:17.45s, beating the previous record by 14s! Held by China’s Wang Junxia in 29:31.78s.

Some amazing stats for this race…

The three medallists; Kenya’s 10,000m world champion Vivian Cheruiyot taking the silver and the defending Olympic Champion Tirunesh Dibaba and of course the Rio’s 2016 10,000m Gold Medaliist Almaz Ayana all ran under the previous Olympic Record.

Before the Race, only five women had ever run sub 30min for the 10,000m. Post race, with four women running sub 30min in the race, there are now 8 women in history who have run sub 30min for the 10,000m!

Britain’s Jo Pavey finishes 15th in a SB (Season’s Best time). At 42 years of age, her 5th Olympics and a mother of two, Pavey’s Performance is such an inspirational feat!

In the Heptathlon, Jessica Ennis-Hill started her campaign in the 100m hurdles with the fastest of athletes in 12.84s. Fellow GB athlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson(KJT) coming in at 13.48s. Moving to the High Jump, KJT shined with a new British Record of 1.98m! Ennis-Hill  jumping a SB of 1.89m, tallying her current total to 2242 points to put her in third place. Whilst KJT edges into the lead with 2264 point. Brianne Theison-Eaton, the World Silver Medallist and Commonwealth Gold medallist, finishes her morning in fifth position in 2151 points with 13.18s in the 100m hurdles and a 1.86m High jump. With five events left, two of those starting in this evening’s session (Shot, 200m), there is still lots to play for.

In the 800m, the WR holder and legend that is David Rudisha of Kenya qualified in the fastest time of 1:45.09s alongside GB’s Michael Rimmer who placed 3rd in 1:45.99s. Sadly, 2012’s Silver medallist, Nigel Amos did not qualify for the semi finals, being held back from injuries this year.

Early tomorrow morning the follow events are up for the 1st day evening session.

W 1500m heats (00:30) – Laura Muir, second fastest in the world this year

Heptathlon Shot (00:35)

M 400m heats (01:05) Top 3 guys – Wayde Van Niekerk, LaShawn Merritt, Kirani James

M Long Qualifications – Defending 2012 Olympic Champion Greg Rutherford (01:20)

Heptathlon 200m (02:10)

And the Blue Ribbon event, W 100m heats (02:40) – Desiree Henery & Asha Philip of GB. Dafne Schippers 10.83 SB the Dutch heptathlete turned sprinter. The world leader, Elaine Thompson of Jam with a time of 10.70. The speed queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce up for a third consecutive Olympic Gold Medal, a feat no women had done before.