Four who fell get a gift: a spot in 800-meter final

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There was drama to the first heat of the women’s 800-meter semifinals, and a gift by the end of the day.

Four sprinters fell to the track on the first lap when Becky Horn, who was boxed in and tried to break out, stumbled and went down, followed by Kameisha Bennett, Latavia Thomas and U.S. indoor record holder Nicole Teter, not necessarily in that order.

Teter managed to get up and worked her way up to fifth, although only the four top finishers in each of the two semis normally advance to the final. However, officials ruled tonight that Teter, Horn, Bennett and Thomas could advance. So instead of an eight-member field, there will be 12 runners in the final, which is scheduled for Monday night.

Alice Schmidt won the first semifinal in 2:03.27, while Morgan Uceny won the second in 2:02.10.

-- Debbie Goffa

Top photo: Alice Schmidt, right, runs ahead as Becky Horn starts to fall after getting tangled up with Kameisha Bennett, center, during the women’s 800 meter semifinals. Credit: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

Lower photo: Becky Horn is already on the track while Kameisha Bennett is about to join her. Behind Bennett is Teter. On the ground at far right is Latavia Thomas. Credit: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images