Mark English has said he is excited to take on the world’s best athletes as he prepares for the Olympic Games in Rio this summer.
The 23-year-old Donegal man is one of 11 Sky Academy Sports Scholars and is all set for his Olympic debut this summer.
Sky Sports aired a documentary featuring our very own Mark English yesterday in the latest documentary on the sports scholars.
You can get the video on Sky Go to find out even more about the 800m star as he prepares for Rio.
That my form can change in a day. Nothing is guaranteed in this sport and it is both cruel and beautiful in equal measures.
Mark is a big fan of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo
2. SUM UP THE STATE OF YOUR HEAD AND BODY FOR RIO
Excited to take on the world’s best!
3. WHAT’S THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR?
The best thing to happen was to be selected for my first Olympic Games. I missed London by 0.17s so it was a huge relief to run the qualifying standard at the London Anniversary Games last year.
4. IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A wild charizard
5. WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
Probably one of the European distance runners throughout the 80s.
Mark is keen on seeing Bono and U2 in action
6. WHICH OTHER SPORT STARS DO YOU ADMIRE?
Robbie Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Padraig Harrington, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis-Hill.
7. DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT UNUSUAL THINGS WHEN YOU RUN?
Yes, like why did Bran have to go into his dream in Game of Thrones and get Hodor killed.
8. IF YOU WEREN’T AN ATHLETE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Hard to know really. I liked football growing up so I might’ve pursued that.
9. ANY MOTTOS OR PHRASES THAT MOTIVATE YOU?
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein
10. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Cooking the onions for dinner the other day.
Mark has learned from the best with mentor Darren Campbell providing sound advice
11. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
A good sketch. And pretty much most Tommy Tiernan and Dara O’Briain shows.
12. WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?
Doping in sport.
13. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS
Competitive, determined and lively.
14. ANY SUPERSTITIONS?
Having to wear white socks when racing. Making sure my spikes are a tight, snug fit.
15. WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU INTO?
Most. Would love to attend a U2 or Coldplay concert. In other words, if anyone is thinking of presents to buy me, you know I’ll forever put you on my list of friends.
16. WHAT TV SHOWS ARE YOU INTO?
Game of Thrones and Narcos.
17. HOW DO YOU RELAX OFF THE TRACK?
Spend time with friends visiting places, hiking, swimming and going to the movies.
Mark English recently returned to the track after a three-month injury
18. WHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU INVITE TO DINNER?
Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Tommy Tiernan.
19. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACHIEVING?
Egg and spoon race champion in 1998 in my primary school of Woodland National School, Letterkenny.
20. AMBITIONS FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS?
To continue being happy and to continue doing what I love.
21. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A SKY SCHOLAR?
Learning from the best. I’ve been lucky enough to talk with Olympic gold medalists in Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Darren Campbell. That’s a fantastic privilege.
And the head of the Sky Scholars Academy Tony Lester has always been able to provide sound advice, especially around championships.
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