MARK English produced a stunning run in Madrid to seal his place at the Olympic Games.
English ran a superb 1:45.22 at Meeting Madrid.
While the Finn Valley AC man’s time is just .02 of a second outside the automatic Olympic Games qualifying time, he cannot now be overhauled in the rankings.
He is now 39th and will be among the 48 going under starter’s orders in Tokyo.
English was second in the men’s 800m at Meeting Madrid, a World Athletics Continental Tour silver meeting.
Tonight’s time represents a season’s best and is also a new Finn Valley club record. Further, English is now really eyeing up David Matthews’ Irish 800m record of 1:44.82, which has stood since 1995.
Out of lane 4, the three-time European medalist was just behind Tony van Diepen, who won in 1:45.17.
Saúl Ordóñez, the 2018 World Indoor bronze medalist, took third behind English in 1:45.26.
Tonight’s performance at Estadio Vallehermoso indicates serious form by English, whose ranking will take such a boost that his place in Tokyo is sealed.
English had withdrawn from events in Hengelo and Göteborg before returning in timely fashion in Sollentuna.
Next weekend, English will defend his 800m title at the National Senior Championships in Santry.
English competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, going 1:45.93 in a semi-final.
