Middle distance runner Genevieve LaCaze and pole vaulter Alana Boyd star in Rio

BRISBANE athletes were in force on the track and in the field in Rio last night — and the smile of middle distance runner Genevieve LaCaze says it all.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — AUGUST 16: Eloise Wellings (L) and Genevieve LaCaze of Australia react after the Women's 5000m Round 1 — Heat 2 on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

THE Olympic Games served up a mixed bag of results for Brisbane athletes overnight with pole vaulter Alana Boyd and middle distance runner Genevieve LaCaze advancing to the finals of their respective events.

Boyd jumped 4.55m in Rio overnight to progress to the August 20 final ranked eighth. Seven competitors recorded jumps of 4.60m in the qualifying rounds. The final will leap into action at 9.30am.

A dual Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games champion, Boyd eclipsed her own Australian record by 4cm when she cleared 4.81m in July.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — AUGUST 16: Alana Boyd of Australia competes during the Women's Pole Vault Qualifying Round — Group A on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

The clearance, which came three weeks after her comeback from an ankle injury sustained at March’s world indoor championships, was 6cm higher than the gold medal-winning mark by American Jenn Suhr at the London 2012 Games.

Australia's Alana Boyd competes in a qualifying round of the pole vault during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The University of Queensland graduate placed 16th in Beijing and 11th in London in 2012. If Boyd replicates her July form, she would be a strong contender for Australia’s first Olympic medal for the event since Tatiana Grigorieva’s silver at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Genevieve LaCaze was one of three Australians to qualify for the 5km final overnight.

LaCaze, Eloise Wellings and Madeline Hills will all line up in the final on Saturday at 10.40am.

The 27-year-old former John Paul College student’s brother, Elliott, said she would use her success in the 3000m steeplechase to spur her on in the 5km.

“I think she’ll look to use the high of the steeplechase to boost her in the 5km,” LaCaze said.

LaCaze made her first Olympic final this week with the 3000m steeplechase, finishing ninth overall and running a personal best time of 9:21.21.

Australia's Eloise Wellings and Genevieve LaCaze both through to the final in the Women's 5000m after heat 1 during Athletics on Day 11 at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“(The final) was fantastic — everyone was so excited with how she went,” LaCaze said.

“She was really happy to do a PB in the final — it was all she could ask for to happen.

“(Fellow Australian steeplechase athlete) Madeline Hills and Gen have got a friendly, competitive rivalry going now and I think they’re pushing each other to be better.”

Mr LaCaze said he was “extremely proud” of his sister.

Boondall sprinter Alex Hartmann failed to qualify for the 200m semi finals in his maiden Olympic Games race in Rio overnight.

Alex Hartmann. Pic Peter Wallis

The former Boondall State School and Aspley State High student, the fastest 200m runner Australia has had in nine years, placed 5th in his heat with a time of 21.02 seconds.

The 23-year-old’s personal best time is 20.45 seconds.