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Olivia Breen comes agonisingly close to a place in the T38 100m Paralympic final
02/09/2024 00:00, In Blog /
Olivia Breen agonisingly missed out on a place in the T38 100m at the Paris Paralympics by just 0.02 of a second on Saturday morning.
The first of six Welsh athletes who will compete for Great Britain at the Stade De France during the games, Breen finished fourth in her semi-final – a fraction behind fellow Brit Maddie Down.
Breen clocked 12.95, but Down just pipped her to the third place automatic qualifying spot by registering 12.93 in what was a highly competitive race won by Lida Maria Manthopolou, of Greece, in 12.53.
A fast second semi-final saw the top five finishers all dip under Breen’s time, meaning the 2022 Commonwealth Games 100m gold medallist was narrowly edged out from the final.
Among those who qualified from the second semi-final was GB’s Sophie Hahn, the woman Breen beat to win that Commonwealth title in Birmingham.
However, the 100m disappointment doesn’t mean the end of Breen’s games, the Great Britain women’s team captain is now determined to turn all her focus to the T38 long jump, which she will contest on Thursday morning (September 5).
Speaking after the 100m semi-final, the 28-year-old said: "I was trying to react to the gun but the crowd was so noisy. I don't want to give any excuses; I could have run better but things happen.
I've got to remember that the long jump is still to come and that will make me more hungry” added Breen who won long jump gold for Wales at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The long jump is 100 percent my target and getting the chance to compete and get used to the stadium will only help that.
The crowd will really lift me in the long jump and I'm really excited to get back out there.
Breen will also be concentrating on her duties as GB women’s team captain.
“It's a shame I won't be in that 100m final but I'll be there cheering on the other girls.
“Being captain is amazing, the energy and vibe is so good and we're all supporting each other, it’s such a big honour.”
Appearing in her fourth Paralympics, Breen will also draw on the experience she gained in London, Rio and Tokyo, where no fans were present due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
The City of Portsmouth athlete, who won bronze in the T38 100m at the Tokyo Games three years ago said:
Tokyo really does feel like yesterday, this has come around so fast.
Being in this stadium for the Olympics just made me so excited, with all the fans it feels like a home Games, everywhere there are British flags.
Breen, who has cerebral palsy and is also hearing impaired, added:
This is so important for para sport and will be crucial for inspiring the next generation of our para athletes.
London 2012 did a great job of letting people with a disability know that there is a sport for them, whether it's athletics or not.