'I'm confident no matter how it goes': Mark English ready for European gold bid

English is bidding to become the first Irishman win European outdoor gold when he goes in Thursday night's 800m final

Mark English ran 1:43.49 to reach Thursday night's European 800m final. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Mark English’s times and performances tell of an athlete who’s never been in more confident form. His mixed zone statements confirm this deeply exciting reality.

Be it through his words or home straight pedalling, the self-belief in his physiological state has never ascended to the heights where it currently resides.

A timely ascent too as he stands on the cusp of a sixth European medal and first on the highest step.

Having entered this week's European championships as the 800m lead, English will now enter Thursday’s European final as the gold medal favourite. His semi-final championship record - bettering in a morning outing the mark that had stood for 48 years - has made absolutely certain of that.

The 33-year-old was asked after his 1:43.49 semi-final win if he’s confident he can respond to whatever tactical swings tomorrow’s final throws up.

“I'm confident no matter how it goes,” replied the Donegal native.

Across outdoor and indoor, Birmingham represents English’s 22nd senior championship. Is this the best he’s ever felt wearing a green vest?

“Yes, it is,” came the latest assured response.

The two questions almost didn’t need asking. Visual proof had presented itself a quarter of an hour earlier. A most emphatic reinforcement of his current form and a headspace absent of any doubt.

With 200m remaining in the second semi-final, English was on the rail and positioned third behind Italy’s Francesco Pernici and Yanis Meziane of France, as he had been since they broke from their lanes.

Britain’s Ben Pattison moving into position on the outside blocked English’s own ability to move out. With three automatically progressing, he was worst positioned of the front four.

But there was no panic. Not a scintilla of it. He trusted himself. He trusted the speed that saw his lifetime best dip under 1:43 for the very first time at last month’s London Diamond League.

A gap opened between Pernici and Meziane on the home straight. He strode through. He strode away.

“I've practised a couple of things in training, so I know what I'm capable of. I know I probably worried a lot of people, but I know what I'm capable of doing, so I didn't worry,” he said of his momentary boxed state.

“I knew three people got through automatically, and I knew it would probably be top five that would get through anyway because it was a quick race, so it was not about panicking. I knew something would open up and I'd get out.

“My self-belief has always been there. I guess I just worked on a few things over the last year to get myself physiologically in the condition to be able to do what I did today. I think that's the main difference, as well as building up experience race-wise. But I think it's physiologically I'm just in a better place this year.” 

Crossing in 1:43.49 eclipsed Olaf Beyer’s championship record of 1:43.84 from all the way back in 1978.

When all other athletes had disappeared up into the tv gantry, English was asked over to the infield for a quick snap beside the electronic scoreboard showing his new CR mark.

“It's pretty cool, but as you say, it's a semi-final, another big race again tomorrow. I'll just have to discuss tactics with Justin [Rinaldi, coach] and come up with a good plan. Hopefully I can put on a show again for the great Irish crowd that was out there.”

Onto Thursday and that 9.28pm final. English is already in possession of two European bronze medals from 2014 and ‘22. He also has onto that three European indoor medals - one silver and two bronze - from 2015, ‘19, and ‘25.

He has every colour bar the main one. If he gets to 9.30pm and is still without the main one, would that represent a disappointment?

“I think it's just about going out there and giving it my best shot,” he continued.

“I’ve put in so much work, and I just want to show people what kind of work I've put in. And like I say, it's not like I'm racing community games here! It's Europeans, they're all great. It'll be a tight competition and I'm looking forward to it.”