Mark English: 'It’s all about producing my best race now in the semi-final'

Mark English says it’s about getting the best out of himself on Friday in the Olympic 800m semi-final at the Stade de France in Paris.

The Finn Valley AC member put in a fine run to finish second in his heat finishing just 0.02 seconds behind winner, France’s Gabriel Tual, who clocked 1:45.13. Tshepiso Masalela from Botswana took the last of the three automatic places in 1:45.58.

“I’m delighted with today’s performance,” Letterkenny native English said afterwards. “Very happy with that. It’s brilliant to get qualification and to get into a semi-final. I knew I had to be in contention throughout the race and that’s what I tried to do. Thankfully it paid off.  I’m always going to go out and try my best in every race and that’s what you got today. Tual - the French athlete - was great, so we’ll all get back again in the semi-final.

“I’ve never doubted myself and always believed I could do it. I have run PBs and 400, 600 and 800m this year, so I’m in good shape and it’s all about producing my best race now in the semi-final.”

The top three finish means English bypasses the complexities of the repechage, so will now have a rest day on Thursday to recharge the batteries.

“It’s important as it’s quite difficult to come through the repechage and into the semi-final but in saying that there will be one or two who will sneak in that way,” English said.