'It's been a massive ride': Alastair Chalmers Olympic journey ends after falling in the 400m hurdles

Guernsey athlete Alastair Chalmers has seen his Olympic final dreams dashed after falling during the 400m hurdles semi-final.

The 24-year-old took to the starting line at the Stade de France on Wednesday 7 August after coming through his heat in third place.

Chalmers looked confident and was performing well but his foot clipped the seventh hurdle as he came around the final bend, ending his hopes of reaching the final at his first Games.

The Team GB athlete took to social media to say: "It's all fine, I'm so proud of how far I've come and where I'm at.

"I just got caught up racing these guys and absolutely hit the hurdle but that's how it goes.

"I'm glad I got myself up and finished -it's been a massive ride and a massive journey so I'll see you soon."

In an interview with ITV News on Thursday, Chalmers added: "It's a shame that it didn't all go to plan but do you know what, I'm not walking away from this sad or really upset because it was always going to be a tough task to make it to the final.

"I just wanted to go out there and try to run as fast as I can and unfortunately I didn't but I still had a really good Olympics."

"I still deserve to be here and it's been such a beautiful experience and I've loved every second of it."

Firm favourite from the USA, Rai Benjamin, came first with a time of 47.85 seconds, qualifying automatically with Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke who finished second.

Despite the trip, Chalmers still ran to cross the line in eighth place with a time of 56.52 seconds.

The result means that all Channel Islanders have now completed their events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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