“IT’S BITTERSWEET.”
Thomas Barr’s initial reaction was refreshingly honest but there was an overall acceptance that his fourth place in the men’s 400m hurdles final was a remarkable display.
He may have fallen just short of the podium but his time of 47.97 is a new national record – an improvement again on his magnificent semi-final performance.
“I’m delighted to have got to a final and I’m also delighted to have seen a 47.00 up on that clock, which I didn’t expect”, he said.
“I didn’t know I had it in me. I didn’t think I had it in me.”
The Waterford native admitted he had been struggling with fatigue ahead of the race, unsurprising given his injury-plagued preparation for Rio.
Barr told RTE’s David Gillick that his legs were a little tender, something that potentially affected him over the first 150 metres.
But there was a stunning finish from the 24-year-old to push hard for a bronze as the line approached.
“I was a little bit behind coming up the back strait. I came off hurdle six or seven a little bit awkwardly so that probably knocked me back slightly. I usually turn on the taps coming off hurdle eight and into hurdle nine but I tried to open up as quick as I could without it hampering my stride pattern. I think I stuttered into hurdle nine and stuttered into hurdle ten but when I was coming home, over hurdle ten, and I was gaining ground…If I had 405m, you never know what could’ve happened.”
I thought I might have sneaked it on the line. But, Jesus, to be anywhere close to a medal, I’m absolutely thrilled.”
There were four national records in the final, including Barr’s. Kerron Clement, who took home the gold, racked up a season’s best. Going by Olympic history, Barr can count himself immensely unfortunate not to have finished in the top three.
“It’s insane. I never thought I’d see the day. Especially not this year. How many people in the world have run 47.00? Probably the three or four of us in the final. Maybe it was a step too far this time. My first international senior final – fourth is probably the best and worst place to come outside a medal.
There was a lot of doubts coming into it because I felt very tired and lethargic so after the two rounds I thought ‘Right, this is where my fitness is starting to catch up with me’. But the adrenaline took over for the race and I just got a smooth enough race in and kicked like an absolute animal in the last 80 metres.
Afterwards, Barr took the time to have his moment with the Irish fans who turned up to support him – something he was grateful for.
“The first thing I noticed when I came out on the track was the Irish flags – not buried in the crowd but on the side of the track”, he said.
“I didn’t know if people would look down on it for going and doing a mini victory lap but I just said ‘I’m not going to be here again – maybe ever – but for another four years’ so I had to thank all the fans for coming out and supporting me. Taking time out of their day to shout me on – it gave me a massive boost. And all the support back home…I know there were screens set up in UL and in Waterford.”
A firm statement of intent, Barr’s best years are ahead of him. And the Olympics has proved an intoxicating and alluring experience.
“I’ve enjoyed every second of the lead-up into this. The year was stressful but brilliant and the championships have been absolutely amazing. There’s nothing like an Olympics. The World Championships last year – I don’t think there was the same buzz about it. This is the Olympics. This is the biggest sporting stage. Not only am I fourth in the world, I’m fourth in the Olympics. It’s a completely different kettle of fish. And I got through it. I survived it. I’ll look back on it in the next while and realise exactly what it is.”
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