Claxton proud to have reached Olympic final

Posted: Tuesday 19th August 2008 | 17:14

SARAH CLAXTON insists competing in an Olympic final would be the perfect way for her to sign out after she came last in the 100m hurdles yesterday.

The 27-year-old couldn't repeat her flying start she made in her semi-final and after that she was always playing catch up as America's Dawn Harper took the gold.

And although Claxton maintains reaching her first Olympic final was her ultimate goal, she admitted she was let down by her poor start.

She said: "I feel I have met my targets at this Olympics just by getting to the final - that was my target.

"After Athens I wanted to make sure I was going to get into an Olympic final before I finished.

"If this is my last Olympics and, in 2012 I some people will consider me too old, at least I can say I got to an Olympic final.

"The race was okay, not as good as yesterday but I am just happy I was in the final.

"I didn't have the best of starts I sat in the blocks and wasn't out of the blocks as quick I was in the semi-finals so that is the only reason why I didn't race as well."

Just moments before her race, Claxton was glued to a TV watching Christine Ohuruogu storm to a sensational gold in the 400m.

And with Germaine Mason also taking silver in the high jump, Claxton admitted she had got caught up in Britain's medal rush.

She added: "I was screaming at the TV watching Christine before I came on - maybe I should have focused on my own race but I am really happy for her she has done really well.

"My preparation was perfect, I was in Macau and it all went really well and encouraging for Beijing.

"The whole experience has been really good, I just concentrated on each round as it came and visualising it and I am really pleased with it.

"I have been focussing on my races a lot so I have not been able to really sample the Olympics but now I am going to make sure I get out there and make the most of it."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing