World Indoor Athletics: Aussie Fabrice Lapierre misses gold by 1cm in long jump final

AUSSIE long-jumper Fabrice Lapierre has been pipped for gold at the world indoor athletics championships by just one centimetre.

AUSIE long-jumper Fabrice Lapierre has claimed the silver medal at the world indoor championships, missing gold by just 1cm.

The US-based jumper soared 8.25m on his third attempt to fall agonisingly short of American Marquis Dendy’s 8.26m.

The result in Portland continues the resurgence of the 32-year-old who last year finished second at the world championships in Beijing.

Lapierre, won the title in 2010, now joins Sally Pearson, Steve Hooker, Tamsyn Lewis-Manou and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor as Australians to win two medals at the world indoor championships.

It was again a clutch performance with Lapierre on the verge of exiting the competition before nailing his third jump and moving from 10th to second.

“I’m feeling great,” Lapierre said.

“My first two jumps I didn’t get it right on the runway, my approach was terrible actually, but my third one was great and I did what I needed to get another jump. I was pretty excited after that, knowing that I was in the mix for a medal.

Thanks for all the love! another Silver Medal, upset I caught a cramp and couldn't deliver another clutch Jump in Round 6. Bring on RIO!!!

— Fabrice Lapierre (@FabriceLapierre) March 20, 2016

“The goal for me was the gold medal, it’s always been the same. I thought I could have done that here, but this result makes me know that there is more to come this outdoor season.

“I just have to keep doing what I am doing and I am confident I can deliver a podium finish in Rio.”

Victorian Brett Robinson finished 11th in the men’s 3000m final, clocking 8min11.11sec.

Originally published as World Indoor Athletics: Aussie Fabrice Lapierre misses gold by 1cm in long jump final