Athletics: Smith finishes well down field in 5000m heat

9.30am

New Zealand's Kimberly Smith was eliminated in the 5000m, after finishing 11th in her heat.

Smith, 22, dropped off the pace when Yingjie Sun upped the tempo after a sedate first 1km.

She bravely stayed with the task, picking off stragglers as she moved through the field to clock 15min 31.80sec.

Despite being the United States college 3000m and 5000m champion, her personal best -- 15min 09.72sec -- had ranked her only 15th of the 20 starters.

Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia took the heat in 15min 00.66sec.

Smith had considered pulling out of the Olympics, after concern over her form and a foot injury.

"My foot feels fine now and I'm glad I came," she told NZPA.

It was an experience to run in Olympic Stadium.

"I'm kind of still getting used to running in front of big crowds.

"It will be a good experience for the next Olympics, I'm still young -- that is what it was all about, just gaining experience."

- NZPA