"I want to make sure that I leave everything out there on the track," - Dominique Scott

While Sifan Hassan's new 10 000m World Record set the meet alight, it was Dominique Scott's 7th place finish that got many South Africans excited. The Cape Town born athlete clocked 31:19.89 to finish just over 2 minutes behind Hassan in a lightening fast race that saw the top seven runners record personal bests. Scott's performance at the FBK Games World Athletics Continental Tour in Hengelo yesterday highlighted her readiness to deliver after being named in Team SA's Olympic team.

"I have broken 15 minutes in the 5km before and I definitely want to do it again this time while representing SA at the Olympics," said the woman who moved to the United States when she was recruited by the University of Arkansas after high school. Her running blossomed on the US College circuit where she ran the 5th fastest 3000 metres indoor track and field in NCAA history. And at 28 years old she already knows what it feels like to wear an Olympic tracksuit after she was selected to represent her native land in the 10 000m at Rio 2016.

Scott in action at the 2019 World Championships in Doha where she reached the final of the 5000m. Photo Credit: Roger Sedres.

"I want to make sure that I leave everything out there on the track," is the SA 3000m indoor record holder's answer when asked about her approach to her second Olympic Games. Speaking during the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's (SASCOC) announcement of the Olympic team Scott hinted that she could have an advantage this time around that could help her improve on her showing five years ago where she took 21st place in a personal best time of 31:51.47.

Scott-Efurd stretches before a track race. Photo Credit: Dominique Scott.

"I have not competed in Japan, but I am starting to get used to competing in an empty stadium," said Scott who holds a 14:59.08 5000m personal best. Because the Olympics are expected to happen without fans as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) tries to host a safe event during a global pandemic, many suggest that some of the results could be surprising as athletes struggle with the somewhat new competition environment.

"By the time Tokyo gets here we will be ready to compete in an empty stadium, unfortunately," she said.