11 September 2008

An upbeat David Weir bounced back from last night’s 400m defeat to qualify easily for the 800m semi-finals at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium this morning.

Weir finished second in the men’s T54 400m, shattering his hopes of five Paralympic golds at the Beijing Games, and hinted afterwards that he might drop one of the events on his hectic programme.

But he returned to the track this morning in a positive frame of mind and won his 800m heat in 1:36.24.

"I am feeling much more positive today,” he said. "I’m sticking to my schedule and I’ll be back for my 5000m final tonight."

Weir never looked troubled as he led from start to finish to beat Japan’s Choke Yasuoka, although his pace at the front meant teammate Brian Alldis failed to go through.

Alldis, who is coached by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, finished seventh in 1:42.38.

"I am a bit disappointed,” said Alldis. “I couldn’t get on the back of the pack as they pulled away and I was about two seconds off my PB. It was good that Dave was in the heat but it probably made it harder for me.”

Athletics newcomer Kate Arnold finished ninth in the women’s 200m T46. The 20-year-old former swimmer switched to athletics just last year and was not originally expected to qualify for Beijing.