Mark English focusing on Sopot after missing Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix

By Eoghan Cormican

Mark English reveals the biggest disappointment of his recent respiratory tract infection was missing the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix.

English was due to compete at the prestigious meet a fortnight ago, but withdrew through illness.

The UCD student, who set a new Irish 800m indoor record of 1.46.82 earlier this month, believes the race would have served as ideal preparation ahead of the World Indoor Championships in Sopot.

“Birmingham would have been the perfect tactical race which is what I needed,” he said.

“I didn't need a fast race, I needed a tactical one and I would have got one there. It was a huge pity I missed that, but it hasn’t offset preparations and all I can do now is look forward to Sopot.

“The illness wasn’t ideal. Sometimes the break can do you good and you come back feeling stronger. You need to just start feeling fresh again. I’ve trained twice this week, they’ve gone well and I am feeling fit at the minute. I am looking forward to getting out there now, settling in and being part of that environment.”