Mark English hits stride for semi spot

For so long this year, injuries had kept his ambition shackled, but on the opening morning of athletics in Rio yesterday, Mark English finally broke free.

The 23-year-old from Letterkenny ran a patient, composed race in his heat of the men’s 800m, drifting into contention on the second lap and unleashing an impressive kick in the home straight to take third in 1:46.40.

It was a run which booked his place in an Olympic semi-final, a performance which reannounced his ability, but more than anything it was vindication of what many, most of all himself, have long believed: He belongs here.