Statistics were against Montsho

Amantle Montsho arrived in London as the reigning 400 metres world champion, courtesy of her run at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011. She had won gold at the event and went on to dominate the 2012 Samsung Diamond League, which she currently leads. This made her an overwhelming favourite to pick at least a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. But statistics, from the time she won gold in Daegu to her last Diamond League race in London, reveals Montsho had the sixth best time of the year when she went to London.

Heading to London, the top placed 400m runner was Russian, Antonina  Krivoshapka with a time of 49.16 secs.