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Guernsey athlete Alastair Chalmers is through to the semi-finals of the mens' 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics after a dramatic dive finish.
The Team GB representative came third in his heat this morning, pipping Germany's Joshua Abuaku to the post on the finish line.
In an interview with the BBC after qualifying for the semi-finals, he credited the 80,000 strong crowd watching the heats at the Stade de France, and those waving Guernsey flags in particular, for helping him secure his place in the next round.
"I was born for moments like this," he told interviewers moments after his race.
"I've said it before, I'll say it again, there's 80,000 people here, so many Guernsey flags, so to be repping the whole team, it's an honour, it's an absolute privilege to be here."
From Guernsey to the world
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 5, 2024
A dip at the line sends @GsyAla to the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles with a big Q
He clocked 48.98 #WhereItStarts | #Athletics | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/T2Cy2ixy58
Chalmers won his place in the semi-final by 0.02 of a second. He knew it was close as he pushed himself over the finish line.
"I came down the home straight and had a feeling it was all pretty close," he told the BBC.
"We're here, I ain't [sic] going to leave anything out there.
"Who cares it's the heat? These heats for the hurdles are like previous Olympic semi-finals. I really don't care. I am through to the semi-final.
"[I'll have] a nice day off tomorrow and them come back to the colosseum on Wednesday and I'm looking forward to it."
Chalmers added that he had felt "so many nerves" and some pressure from himself, as well as excitement before his heat.
"I'm enjoying myself, but I'm here to do a job," he said.
"I'm an athlete who wears my heart on my sleeve and I do amazing things and I've done it there."
Pictured: Alastair Chalmers has the support of his family and others from Guernsey in Paris this week.
Members of his family and other Guernsey supporters were in the crowd cheering Chalmers on this morning.
"To have my home people come out is a dream in itself," he told the BBC.
"I love the people of Guernsey. I'm repping the under the GB flag. But no, GB the team is amazing.
"I'm looking forward to getting back out and repping them."
Chalmers is due to run in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening at 18:35.
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