Melissa Bishop grabs silver in women's 800m at Beijing worlds

Canada's Melissa Bishop grabbed a surprise silver medal in the women's 800m at the world track and field championships in Beijing.

Canada's 1st ever medal in women's 800m

Melissa Bishop wins silver in 800m

9 years ago
Duration 3:28
Time of 1:58:12 just short of Marina Arzamasova, who won the gold

Canada's Melissa Bishop has captured a silver medal in the women's 800 metres at the world track and field championships.

The 27-year-old from Eganville, Ont., crossed in one minute 58.12 seconds in a battle down the homestretch.

Bishop had run 1:57.52 in the semifinals, breaking Diane Cummins' Canadian record that stood for 14 years.

"It's really a dream come true," Bishop said. "Our training has been really consistent over the last few years. This year, we've really worked on a few things and I've been waiting for the right race. 

"I'm really happy that it came here at the [world] championships."

Canada's previous best finish in the event at worlds was Cummins' fifth in 2001.

Marina Arzamasova of Belarus won the gold in 1:58.03, while Eunice Sum took the bronze in 1:58.18. 

The race featured a quick first 200m, followed by a slow second 200m and then a negative split in the final lap. The pace changes made it a challenging run, Bishop said.