Heartache for Fachie as he misses final
Aberdeen sprinter pipped in bid
Published:
ABERDEEN sprinter Neil Fachie today just missed out on a place in the T13 200 metre final.
Fachie, who is visually impaired, clocked a time of 23.17 to finish fifth in a difficult heat at the Beijing National Stadium.
Despite the result, the Bridge of Don based athlete insisted he was not too downhearted at his performance.
He said: “It was a tough race, but I ran all right and can’t be too disappointed”
Qualifying for the final was always going to be an extremely demanding task, given the quality field Fachie faced.
Included in the line-up was Ireland’s Jason Smyth, who won the men’s T13 100m in Beijing with a world record time of 10.62.
Speedster Smyth was joined by Luis Manuel Galano from Cuba, who lifted the T13 400m title in China.
Galano produced a Paralympic record of 49.12 on his way to glory.
Fachie admitted he was always going to be up against it.
He said: “It was a killer heat packed with quality athletes.”
Fachie also narrowly failed in his bid to make the T13 100m final.
The 24-year-old produced a time of 11.53 seconds to finish ninth in the qualifying standings.
Frustratingly for Fachie, only the top eight sprinters made it through to the final.
He said: “I’d have liked to make a final so it is disappointing to miss out twice.
He added: “It was a tough qualification, but I should have run a bit quicker.
“My 100m just doesn’t seem to be clicking this year.”
Even although he was only able to race twice in Beijing, Fachie believes the experience of competing at the Paralympics will be invaluable.
The Aberdonian is looking forward to the Games coming to London in 2012.
He said: “I have learned what it is like to run in front of a huge crowd and I’ve also experienced the environment of living with other athletes.
“The pressure on the athletes in London is probably going to be huge, so it was a good trip and the experience gained from it will be invaluable four years from now.
“I hope what I have learned will pay off in time.”
