Chalmers hits fastest run but edged out of Euro final spot in agonising circumstances

Monday 10 June 2024

Alastair Chalmers produced his fastest ever run, but could only watch on as his European Championships journey ended in Rome.

It was a dramatic morning as his 48.76s time also left him agonisingly short of the 400m hurdles Olympic qualifying standard of 48.70s.

Personal best ????@GsyAla runs a best-ever time of 48.76 in the 400m hurdles from the outside lane, just missing out on a spot in the final.#Roma2024 | #WhereItStarts pic.twitter.com/5kuGMX1EiI

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) June 10, 2024

Drawn in the outside lane of the second time final, Chalmers went out hard and headed the field until they came off the eighth hurdle.

He was still in second place coming off the final hurdle, but was beaten to that spot which would have secured automatic qualification in the final push to the line by Sweden’s Carl Bengtstrom (48.51s).

Estonia’s Rasmus Magi won in a season's best 48.43s.

It was not all over as the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers across three semis also make the final.

Minutes ticked by as he prowled around the finish area waiting for his time to be confirmed, and when it was he was left sitting in one of the hot seats by the side of the track.

But the third semi was fast.

Home favourite Alessandro Sibilio produced a season’s best 48.07s to win it, with Turkey’s Berke Akcam clocking 48.14s in second, while they were followed home by Matic Gucek in a Slovenian national record 48.34s and Germany’s Emil Agyekum a new PB of 48.36s.

Chalmers' time was the ninth fastest across the three semis.

Hot favourite Karsten Warholm cruised to the win in the first semi final, easing up over the line with 48.75s. Dutchman Nick Smidt 49.57 was the second automatic qualifier from that race.

Chalmers will look to defend his national title and secure the Olympic time at the 2024 UK Athletics Championships  in Manchester,  which take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June.