Sunday 13 October 2024
Select a region

"This one will be special"

Wednesday 07 August 2024

"This one will be special"

Wednesday 07 August 2024


Alastair Chalmers says he's "charging ahead to the Olympic semi-finals! Feeling more determined than ever."

The 400m hurdler goes in the third semi-final this evening.

The first semi-final - featuring World and Olympic record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway - is scheduled to start at 18:35 (BST).

Of the 24 hurdlers competing across the three semi-finals the first two over the finish line in each race will automatically qualify for Friday's final, along with the next two fastest across each of the three semis.

It will be a tough race for Chalmers - with his PB the slowest of all the semi-finalists, by the very slimmest of margins.

Alastair chalmers

Pictured: "Feeling more determined than ever" wrote Alastair Chalmers on Instagram ahead of today's Olympic semi-final.

Chalmers set his season best - beating his previous PB in doing so - when he qualified for the Paris Olympics.

His performance at the UK Athletics Championships last month came amid high drama but as Chalmers himself said earlier this week he is "born for moments like (that)".

He needed to meet the Olympic qualifying time at this event, as it was his last chance to book his place in Paris.

However, he was disqualified for a false start in the final which initially appeared to leave his hopes in the dust.

Chalmers argued that the music in the stands was putting him off and he was allowed to run under protest.

He showed exactly what he's made of when he stormed around the damp Manchester track in 48.54s for the win, not only breaking the standard, but also Ed Moses’ championship record of 48.58s from 1979.

Chalmers dived over the finish line in an echo of the time he first went sub-50 at Footes Lane. 

An hour and a half later he was reinstated and his ticket for Paris booked. 

“This is the best day of my life, but it’s been the most stressful couple of hours of my life as well,” said Chalmers at the time. 

“To run 48.5 in the rain in Manchester is unbelievable and legendary. I am just so proud of myself and absolutely ecstatic.”

Speaking to Athletics Weekly, he reflected on making history: "Paris, I'm ready," he said.

When he secured his fifth national title at the UK Athletics Championships, Chalmers was ranked 27th in the world at the time. 

He goes in to today's semi final ranked 34th in the world.

He again dived over the finish line to secure his place in today's race with British athletics' legend Denise Lewis saying "he was so good" after his heat on Monday.

Although Chalmers' PB is the slowest of those who have qualified for the semi-final he is ranked above three of his competitors.

Just 2.6 seconds separates the Guernseyman's PB from that of the world and Olympic record holder, Norwegian Warholm.

The margin between Chalmer's PB and those of other hurdlers in the semi finals is as slim as 200ths of a second.

With Chalmers known for putting on a show and giving every race his all, he remains one to watch in Paris.

The mens' 400m hurdles semi-finals start at 18:35 (BST).

Pictured top: Paris Olympics 400m hurdles heat image with thanks to Ben Dwork, Alastair Chalmers (inset) with thanks to Alastair Chalmers, and both with thanks to Guernsey Athletics. 

READ MORE...

Rest day for Ala 

"I was born for moments like this"

"He was so good"

Paris Olympics: Introducing… Alastair Chalmers

"Paris, I'm ready": Chalmers secures Olympic spot

Chalmers pledges to be ready for Olympics

Sign up to newsletter

 

Comments

Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.

You have landed on the Bailiwick Express website, however it appears you are based in . Would you like to stay on the site, or visit the site?