She has been lauded as the poster girl of the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships, but Sopot-born pole vault Anna Rogowska says that her vast experience will help her focus on the task in hand this weekend in front of her home crowd.

The men s 1500m heats threw up several surprises, with the main ones being 2011 IAAF World Championships runner-up Silas Kiplagat and the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships bronze medallist Mekonnen Gebremedhin failing to qualify for tomorrow s final.

IAAF President Lamine Diack spoke to the press ahead of the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which begins tomorrow (7) in the Polish city of Sopot.

With just the winners of the three heats guaranteed a place in Sunday s final, and only three fastest loser spots, there was little room for error for the leading contenders and no luxury of easing the foot off the gas.

Ashton Eaton has already won everything in combined events competitions. But there is still plenty to aim at, including a fourth straight world indoor record and a second gold medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships this weekend in Sopot.

All three heats in the men s 800m first round were won ion very similar fashion, with the eventual winner hitting the front at the bell and holding off all their rivals.