What a finish.
5 hundredths of a second. That’s how close Thomas Barr came to picking up an Olympic medal in the 400 metre hurdles final in Rio.
The 24-year old delivered a sensational performance in Tuesday’s semi-final, winning his race and progressing to the final as the third fastest qualifier, and he didn’t disappoint in the marque race. Barr finished fourth in the final and in doing so, the Waterford man has set an Irish record of 47.797 seconds.
While he won’t be coming home to Ireland with an Olympic medal around his neck, he has most certainly won more admirers after a fantastic performance in Rio.
Well done Thomas, the whole of Ireland is proud of you.
Thomas Barr finishes in fourth place in the 400m hurdles final, just .05 of a second off a medal #rterio2016 https://t.co/yaOkgK11j4
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 18, 2016
Wow. @TomBarr247 sears home in a new National Record of 47.97. Finished 4th. So proud. Would have medalled in 405m ? final. #TeamIreland
— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) August 18, 2016
Thomas Barr also set new Irish record with his 47.97 run #rterio2016
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 18, 2016
Hold your head high @TomBarr247, you've just done all of Ireland proud… #InphoInRio #IRL pic.twitter.com/mrOinhP4kQ
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) August 18, 2016
Incredible effort from @TomBarr247 so unlucky but class all the same #recordbreaker #FutureIsBright ??
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) August 18, 2016
.@TomBarr247 could not have done any more. 47.97 a fantastic NR past Tuesday's 48.39. #Rio2016 #IRL pic.twitter.com/sDW9YHnJtk
— Will Downing (@WillDowningComm) August 18, 2016
Massive performance by @TomBarr247 to go under 48s. First Irish man to do so. Get that on your bio Tom. ?????
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) August 18, 2016
Footage of @TomBarr247's race from inside the Olympic stadium in Rio, what a run #Olympics ?????? pic.twitter.com/loXC1J97E2
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) August 18, 2016