Genevieve LaCaze thrilled with Rio Olympic performances as she approaches 5000m final

AUSTRALIAN star Genevieve LaCaze is thrilled with her performances at the Rio Olympics, but she has one more goal ahead of her last outing.

Genevieve LaCaze in action during the 5000m heats at the Rio Olympic Games. Photo: CAMERON SPENCER/GETTY IMAGES

AUSTRALIAN star Genevieve LaCaze has one more goal in Rio despite an outstanding Olympic campaign.

LaCaze will line up in the 5000m final tomorrow at 10.40am AEST after she qualified 12th fastest through the heats.

The 27-year-old’s strong performance in her heat followed on from a brilliant showing in the 3000m steeplechase, where she finished ninth after becoming the first Australian along with Madeline Hills to qualify for an Olympic final in the event.

While the former John Paul College student’s initial goal was just to qualify for the final of the steeplechase, her brother Elliott said she had one more aim.

“Hopefully she can get in the top 10, she would be stoked with that,” Mr LaCaze, who has been exchanging texts with the Fairfield resident, said.

“She never expected to get to the final of the 5000m — it’s been a huge bonus for her to get there.

“Her times stack up relatively well with the others but in saying that it looks like maybe some of them might have another gear to go.

“She’ll just go out there and give it her all and run as hard as she can.”

As well as LaCaze’s fantastic performances, her boyfriend Ryan Gregson has qualified for the men’s 1500m final while fellow Aussies Eloise Wellings and Hills are also through to the 5000m final. Mr LaCaze said the Rio experience had been nothing but positive.

“She’s very excited for Ryan with the 1500m,” he said.

“She’s known the other girls (Wellings and Hills) for a long time so they’re all just really happy for each other that they’re all performing so well.

“There’s a great camaraderie among them.”

Mr LaCaze said his sister had yet to speak about her intentions around the Tokyo 2020 games but had hinted at going on.

“She hasn’t mentioned Tokyo yet,” he said.

“Her main goal at the moment is to get the Australian 3000m steeplechase record and I know the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 are a major focus.”