Thomas Barr of Ferrybank has made the final of the 400m hurdles at the Rio Olympics after winning his semi-final in a brilliant new Irish record of 48.39 secs last night.
Not since 1932 in Los Angeles when Irish athletics legend Bob Tisdall won Olympic gold has an Irish athlete made the 400m hurdles final.
Barr was fourth coming into the home straight but produced his trademark sizzling finish to win the race and go into the final as the third fastest qualifier.
“I’m shaking like a leaf. I’m delighted,” said an ecstatic Barr afterwards. “I went in really relaxed and I was able to track Karsten Warholm (Norway) on my outside. I know I’ve a really good finish. I’m not being cocky. I was smiling coming over that last hurdle. Anything is possible now,” he said.
The men’s 400m hurdles final takes place on Thursday (August 18) at 4pm Irish time. Barr has drawn lane 4.
No comments yet.