Team Ireland's 4x400metre Mixed Relay team have an Olympic final to look forward to.
The quartet of Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Cillin Greene and Christopher O’Donnell smashed the Irish record in their semi-final earlier.
They finished in a time of 3.12.88 - some four seconds quicker than the previous record.
Although they finished outside the top three that would have secured automatic qualification, there were hopes Ireland would go through as one of the quickest from outside the non-automatic qualification spots.
As it transpired, the Irish time would have been enough to qualify for Saturday's final.
However, both the USA and the Dominican Republic were subsequently disqualified, which moved Ireland into second place.
The USA had won the heat, while Dominican Republic finished in third.
The run featured a strong fourth lap from O'Donnell, who built on the good work of his teammates in the earlier stages.
It gives Ireland a shot in the medal race, which takes place on Saturday at 1.35pm Irish time.
#Athletics
The USA have been disqualified, moving Ireland's 4x400m mixed relay team into an Automatic Qualifying position...
For the OLYMPIC FINAL!!!
🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/RQ97jjHabu— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 30, 2021
Indeed are proud to support Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Indeed believes the world works better when people are given every opportunity to unleash their true talents. #TalentUnleashed
