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'Holy s**t': Woolworths worker Riley Day leaves nation in awe

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Riley Day (pictured) looks on at her time after the women's 200m semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics. (Getty Images)
Riley Day (pictured) won the hearts of Australians around the world after a brilliant interview following her women's 200m semi-final race at the Tokyo Olympics. (Getty Images)

New Aussie sensation Riley Day has not only won over the hearts of the athletics world, but the whole nation after a blistering 200m sprint and an X-rated interview to go with it in Tokyo.

The 21-year-old Woolworths worker stunned the nation after qualifying for the 200m Olympics semi-final, despite leaving the commentators concerned for her welfare.

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The 21-year-old Queenslander moved on to the semi-finals in a blistering time of 22.94 seconds, but she has promised more the races to come.

This was despite the concern of Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney, who suggested Day appeared 'physically ill' after her taxing heat in the heavy Tokyo sun.

However, Day returned stronger in the night session and determined.

The 21-year-old ran from lane 8 and impressed viewers as she ran in fourth place with a personal best of 22.56.

Channel 7 commentator McAveney was thrilled with her performance after entering the fastest eight times ever for an Australian.

“That is an outstanding performance. It is hard to overstate how good that was,” McAvaney said on Seven.

“Today she was physically sick after the run; she realised she had been a bit overwhelmed by everything. She still ran well today to get to the semifinal, but she’s excelled tonight.”

Riley Day's all-time interview at Olympics

The runner, who studies at Griffith University and works for Woolworths, followed up her performance with a reaction, which echoed that of golden swimmer Kaylee Mckeown.

“Holy s**t,” an exhausted Day said on Channel Seven.

“That was a much better race than this morning. I’ve got my groove. Now I hope it’s the fastest heat so I can get in the final. Because that is a massive PB. That’s awesome.

"I want to be the best and nothing is going to stop me from being the best."

Fans rightfully had a laugh at the hilarious moment after the young Australian had broken her personal best time.

Unfortunately Day narrowly missed out on the final after a strong field led by Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

However, it won't be long before Day picks up a sponsor following a breakthrough Olympics that could see her become a household name in Australia.

Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:

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