Mark English begins his quest for Olympic glory

OLYMPICS: Mark English will begin his quest for Olympic glory today.

The stylish 800m runner, one of Ireland’s leading hopes on the track is the expected to spearhead the Irish challenge on the track in Rio.

English narrowly missed out on the games in London in 2012. He has had set backs since then but has defied odds to qualify for Rio and today he takes to the track.

English was a bronze medal winner at the 2014 European Championships and only last year he won silver in the European Indoor Championships.

English will be running in lane 1 and will be up against Marcin Lewandowski, who beat English to the 800m race in Prague last year.

Some very good runners in this heat but English will be hoping to hold his own and qualify.

Race begins at 14.50 this afternoon and we wish Mark all the best in his Olympic dreams.