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Jenny Simpson claims USA's first medal in women's 1,500 with bronze

Jenny Simpson won bronze in the women's 1,500 meters, storming from behind during the final lap to become the first American female to ever medal in the event.

<p><span class="cutline js-caption" style="display: block; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.74902);">Jenny Simpson (USA) claimed bronze in the women's 1,500-meter final.</span><span class="credit" style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.74902);">(Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)</span></p>

Jenny Simpson won bronze in the women’s 1,500 meters, storming from behind during the final lap to become the first American female to ever medal in the event.

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon (4:08.92) won gold and Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba (4:10.27) took silver, while Simpson nearly caught Dibaba during her furious close to the demanding middle-distance race.

The USA’s Shannon Rowbury (4:11.05) finished fourth, marking by far the country’s best finish since the event was introduced at the 1972 Munich Games.

Both Rowbury and Simpson were mired behind the top pack heading into the final lap, with both Kipyegon and Dibaba seemingly in total control for the top two spots.

While they held for gold and silver, the pair of American runners put together a fantastic close to the race to prove the USA’s increasing confidence about its chances to compete against countries which have long stood atop the discipline.

Like many middle- and long-distance track events, the 1,500 has been dominated by runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.

The event also has a spotty history when it comes to doping offenses and allegations. Six women who raced in the 1,500 meters during the 2012 London Games have either been suspended for doping offenses or come under investigation for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Among the six are the top two finishers from the London Games, both of Turkey: Asli Cakir Alptekin, who won gold, is under an eight-year ban, while silver medalist Gamze Bulut has been under investigation by the International Association of Athletics Federation since the spring.

After the semifinals on Sunday, the USA’s Jenny Simpson had strong words to say about Dibaba, the current world-record holder.

Two months ago, Dibaba’s coach, Jama Aden, was arrested on suspicion of having performance-enhancing drugs.

“I think that you know a tree by the fruit that it bears,” said Simpson. “And if a tree bears sour fruit, then the fruit around it are likely infected. And so I think that if WADA is on the case, they’ll find what they need to find. I hope so.”

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