Sky Scholar and Irish 800m athlete Mark English reflects on educational 2016 Rio Olympics
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 24/03/17 11:21am
It was a miracle Mark English was even in Rio after fracturing his foot six months before the Olympics.
But the 23-year-old rising Irish star of the track battled back and impressed in Brazil to make the 800m semi-finals.
Here are the thoughts of the Sky Academy Sports Scholar on life in Rio, on and off the track.......
1. GENERAL REFLECTIONS ON OLYMPICS?
It was a brilliant experience. Meeting athletes from every corner of the world was fascinating.
I was learning about countries and cultures I hadn't even heard of. It was like a small city inside the village. It was great to see family and friends enjoying the occasion.
2. THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE RIO
Fascinating. Inspirational. Otherworldly.
3. SUMMARIZE YOUR COMPETITION
I was very happy with my run in Rio given the circumstances this year. I broke my foot in March and wasn't running again until June.
So while it took me about 2-3 weeks to get my 400m speed back to where it was, I lacked the real aerobic fitness for an 800m which takes several months to build.
I lost a lot of fitness in the boot and so it was always going to be a massive ask to make the final this year. But I was very happy to get the experience of racing in an Olympic semi-final and to finish 17th overall.
4. WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU COULD HAVE DONE?
Well I don't regret how I ran. But I do think that the momentum of getting out hard was lost on everyone when the race slowed after 200m.
That may have cost the race's fastest loser spots, but that's just the nature of racing.
5. ANY UNUSUAL STORIES FROM YOUR OLYMPIC EXPERIENCES?
I didn't see one mosquito!
