Mark English content to move on - “No regrets as I did everything I could”

Mark English says his bold attempt at the 800m semi-finals was a pre-planned strategy and one that he’s no regrets over. 

The Finn Valley athlete knew he needed a top-two finish in the race or, at the very least, one of the two next best times if he was to claim a spot in the Olympic final.

He was quickly out of the blocks at the Stade de France and hit the front with just 200m left to race. 

However, the Letterkenny native was eventually chased down on the home straight and, in the end, had to settle for sixth place in a time of 1:45.97.

The event was won by Algeria's Djamel Sedjati in 1:45.08 while Tshopiso Masalela from Botswana grabbed the second of the automatic places in the first of three semi-finals with 1:45.33.

Italian Catalin Tecucanu came third with 1:45.38 and Ben Pattison of Great Britain fourth with 1:45.57. Fifth went to Brandon Miller of the United States, in a time of 1:45.79. Sweden's Andreas Kramer led at the halfway point, only to finish seventh in 1:46.52.

Speaking at a special homecoming event at Finn Valley AC on Saturday, the 31-year-old 

said he wasn’t one to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ and looks back on his Paris experience as a really positive one. 

English - who ran his best ever Olympics time of 1:45.15 in the previous heat - explained: “It’s interesting because in the immediate aftermath, all you can think about is the race. But then when the dust settles, you set new goals and turn your attention to the next one. 

“For me, I still have two races left, minimum, this season.  So it just all moves on. I’m not really someone that sits back and reflects. 

“I’m still not sure I’ve reached my full potential in terms of the time I think I can run. So that’s where the focus still is”.

English says his race strategy was clearly defined, explaining that he aimed to maximise his superior 400m speed to gain the early advantage and establish a lead in the first half of the race. 

That approach initially proved successful as he found himself in a really strong position going into the second lap. 

However, the intensity of the race took its toll, and his rivals were able to close the gap as the finish line approached.

“I did have people I ran that by. Myself and my girlfriend, we talked about things like that and it was a plan that I looked to just put into action. 

“And I felt like I just wanted to take advantage of the better speed that I had over 400m. If you have that you can get out a lot better in the first 200m. 

“I even knew that in other races I’ve raced this year. You have different plans for different races and it was nice to put that into action. The aim was to be in the top three at 400 and 600. 

“I don’t have any regrets as I did everything I could”. 

English says it’s been a brilliant Games for Ireland on the whole with Donegal athletes playing their part. 

“I was really proud looking on at the other Donegal athletes like Kelly McGrory and Rachel Darragh. 

Mona McSharry too with that connection to the south of the county, her achievement was amazing. The entire Irish team in fact, it’s been a brilliant Games. 

“It was an honour to be a part of it all as it’s the most successful Irish team that’s ever gone to the Games. It’s been brilliant”. 

On what’s next and that cerebral ability to park Paris and simply move on from the Olympic Games, he said: “It depends on each athlete. I’ve never really got caught up in the four-year cycles. 

“For me, it’s always been year to year. And again, for personally, the World Championships are on a par with the Olympics. 

“So it’s about moving onto next year now and that’s already exciting”.