Jessica Ennis-Hill leads heptathlon while Greg Rutherford makes final after lucky escape

[RoterTeufel]

Jessica Ennis-Hill leads heptathlon while Greg Rutherford makes final after lucky escape


 
JESSICA ENNIS-HILL is on course to retain her Olympic gold after day one of the heptathlon.
 
Despite a disappointing return in the shot put, Ennis-Hill sits top of the pile after four events.
 
She's 72 points ahead of Belgium's Nafissatou Thiam while Katarina Johnson-Thompson is in fourth, 100 points adrift of Ennis-Hill.
 
 Johnson-Thompson put in a huge effort in the high jump but, like her elder compatriot, flopped with the shot in hand.
 
 KJT threw 11.68m while Ennis-Hill returned a 13.86m. Nearest rival Thiam, meanwhile, threw 14.91m.
 
 Ennis-Hill said: "It's been a mixed day. l was really happy with my hurdles and high jump.
 
 "I was obviously disappointed with my shot put - that was frustrating. I was a bit down on the 200m but generally happy.
 
 "I need to rest up and come back strong tomorrow. I'm trying to enjoy it but it's very stressful."
 
 Athletes take on the long jump, javelin and 800m tomorrow.
 
 There was a lucky escape for defending long jump champion Greg Rutherford, who was nearly dumped out at the first-round stage.
 
 He fouled his first two jumps before leaping 7.90m to go through in 10th place.
 
 The Milton Keynes man said: "I'd like to apologise to my parents. I've probably put a few grey hairs on them tonight!"