THE World Junior Championships 800 metre final ended in crushing defeat for UCD athlete James Nolan in Sydney yesterday, and worse was to follow for 100 metre hurdler Grainne Redmond, who made a tame exit in her heat.

Nolan's disappointing performance was blamed at least partly on a strained hamstring. Hurdler Redmond came to grief at the very first hurdle in her heat.

Andrew Walker finished second in his 1500 metre heat and, thus, qualifies for the semi finals.