There was mixed results for Great Britain on the track today with Chris Rawlinson qualifying for the semi-finals of the 400 metres hurdles, but compatriot Matt Douglas missing out in the same event.
Rawlinson was disappointed to finish third in his heat, but a time of 48.94 seconds indicated he was in good shape to challenge for a medal.
“My aim was to qualify first but I made a bit of an error off the eighth hurdle,” said the 32-year-old.
“I looked across with 20 metres to go and could not see anybody, but then they just came through and it was too late to react.
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“It was a bit of an error but I don’t mind if I get drawn in lane one in the semi-finals, I won the Europa Cup from there. I’m feeling good and I’m used to the temperature.
“I haven’t raced for a few weeks so it was a case of blowing away the cobwebs. This is a really strong event, in 2000 only one guy ran under 49 seconds in the heats but there are a lot more doing it now.”
Favourite Felix Sanchez, who has not lost over the distance for more than three years, won his heat to ease into the semi-finals and Rawlinson added: “Felix is an incredible athlete but he is going to have to run a brilliant race to win here.”
Meanwhile, Douglas finished sixth in his heat, but was simply glad to have raced at all after tearing his calf muscle earlier this month.
“I’ve been off the track for two weeks so I haven’t done any preparation. To be honest I’m really happy to have just made the start line,” he said.
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Of the injury, he added: “I tore it the first day I arrived in Cyprus, and again last Monday, so the medical team have worked wonders.
“This is the most important show on earth so I just wanted to run.
“I couldn’t hurdle warming up and then I hit the first hurdle, which didn’t help, but my number one priority was just to run.
“To miss out on the Olympic Games is the most disappointing thing that can happen to an athlete.”