‘I am so proud of how far I’ve come’ - Chalmers

Alastair Chalmers’ first Olympic campaign ended in heartbreak in yesterday evening’s semi-finals.

‘That’s how it goes,’ said Chalmers after falling at the seventh hurdle in Wednesday’s Olympic semi-final in Paris. (Picture from PA Images)

The Guernsey great tumbled over the seventh barrier in the third and last of the 400m hurdles semis at Paris 2024, having done his island so proud simply to earn his place at the pinnacle of global sport, let alone qualify automatically through Monday’s heats.

The 24-year-old valiantly got up and crossed the line eighth and last in 56.52sec. at the Stade de France, unable to challenge his Guernsey record and denied the further fantasy of making an Olympic final.

A sanguine Chalmers was quick to post a video to his supportive fans on social media.

‘Thank you for everyone who’s reached out,’ he said.

‘It’s all fine. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and where I’m at.

Alastair Chalmers crosses the finishing line after falling in his men's 400m hurdles Olympics semi-final at the Stade de France last night. (Picture by Martin Rickett/PA Wire, 33490567)

‘I just got caught up racing these guys and absolutely hit it to hurdle five, six, so that’s how it goes.

‘But I’m glad I got myself up and finished, so thank you for everyone for the support. It’s been a massive, massive journey and amazing ride.’

He had lined up ranked sixth on season’s best in a star-studded semi headed by the USA’s Rai Benjamin, the second-fastest 400m hurdler in history, with only two to qualify automatically. The two ‘fastest losers’ across the three heats would also progress.

The American great had ultimately won the semi in 47.85, with Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke taking runner-up in 48.34.

But Chalmers was well in the mix until a loss of rhythm on the second bend, which had culminated in his decisive – and heartbreaking – error.

‘It looked to me like just a split-second decision whether to take an extra stride or not into the hurdle, and just at the point where the stagger was unwinding with athletes inside him,’ Guernsey Athletics development officer Tom Druce said.

‘It’s been a crazy journey and, of course, it’s not the way he wanted to finish it, but he will – I’m certain – hold his head up high and know he’s done something incredible to make the Olympic semi-finals in this tough event discipline.’

Throughout Chalmers’ time in Paris, he has made it clear that the home supporters are close to his heart.

‘Love the people of Guernsey – I’m repping them underneath the GB flag,’ he had said after qualifying automatically through Monday’s heats with a 48.98.