Olympics viewers fume over Jess Hull call as Channel 9 cops backlash during athletics broadcast

Aussie fans have vented their frustration after many missed medal hopeful Jess Hull's 1500 metre heat on day 11 of the Olympics because of replays from previous events being shown on Channel Nine. Hull came 11th at the Tokyo Games, but is shaping as a real medal hope in Paris and it showed in her heat.

Hull holds the world record for the 2000m - having set it two months ago in Monaco - and is looking to showcase her speed across the 1500m. And the Aussie proved she means business having glided into second during her heat having stuck side-by-side with Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir all the way to the finish line.

Hull made the 1500m event look effortless as she was all smiles after the race. Unfortunately, many Aussies missed the event live because the main Channel Nine broadcast was showing replays of the surfing from earlier. Viewers were also pointing out the Equestrian was shown at one point. Hull's race was shown on other Nine streaming channels, but not on the main broadcast.

Australian viewers missing live action has been a frustration at this Olympics. This was reminiscent of earlier in the Olympics when fans became frustrated when looking to watch live events, but found replays of the Matildas' win over Zambia and Jess Fox's first gold medal being shown. Fans fumed at the time as Harry Garside's boxing fight wasn't shown live, but on replay.

And this time fans were left dumbfounded when they had to wait to watch Hull's race after it had already occurred. This was a huge frustration for track and field supporters considering Hull is one of Australia's best chances for a medal in the athletics.

Jess Hull pushes for medal at Paris Olympics

After the race, Hull was thrilled with her performance. There was a tussle in the middle of the pack during the reace, but Hull stayed out of the drama and stuck with Chepchirchir till the end. Hull said wathcing the men race the 1500m helped her plan out the strategy ahead of time.

“It’s always been tricky the first rounds, especially watching the men earlier in the week,” Hull said to Channel Nine after the heat. “(It) reminded (me) that strange things can happen. I just wanted to run a clean round and stay out of trouble.

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"To me, that’s on the shoulder of the leader. Not in the washing machine of the pack. A good start.”

In a huge bonus for Australia, Hull wasn't the only qualifier. Georgia Griffith finished fourth. The top six racers from each heat progressed. Linden Hall came up short having finished eighth in her heat. She will now race in the repechage for her opportunity to race in the semi-final.