Day eight was certainly great for Olympic competitors from Loughborough College on Rio’s athletics track and hockey field with Matthew Hudson-Smith reaching the 400m final, James Dasaolu qualifying for the 100m semi-finals – alongside Usain Bolt – and Nicola White going into the quarter finals after helping Team GB’s women’s hockey squad to victory over the USA.
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Fran Halsall meanwhile helped Team GB to a new British record in the women’s 4x100m medley relay final.
After starting slowly in his semi-final, Matthew Hudson-Smith picked up the pace down the home straight to cross the line in 44.48 seconds and finish second to qualify for the 400m final.
The 21 year old former Loughborough College student said:
“It wasn’t the best of runs because I didn’t execute at all.
So on one hand I’m disappointed but on the other hand …
I am just ecstatic right now I am in the final. I was shocked because I thought I came fourth.
“I’m putting the jigsaw together and it’s slowly coming together now. I’m so excited for the final and I can’t wait.”
Elsewhere James Dasaolu lined up next to Usain Bolt for his 100m heat – 10.18 seconds later qualifying for the semi-finals.
The former Loughborough College student said: “Obviously running against Usain Bolt – everyone is watching him but for me I’ve always got to try focus on my own race and try and execute.
“I didn’t get out of the blocks too well but the second half of my race was strong so I know there’s definitely more to come if I can get that front first half of my race.
“I’ve raced him six or seven times so he’s Usain Bolt to everyone but to me he’s another fellow competitor and I focus on my lane, I can’t control what Usain does; I can control what I do.
“The track feels fine, it feels good – it’s a track at the end of the day, you’re here just to compete at the Olympics and make it through every round.”
Team GB’s women’s hockey side, featuring former Loughborough College student Nicola White, go into Monday’s quarter-final fresh from completing the perfect pool stage campaign after a 2-1 win over the USA made it five from five for Danny Kerry’s side.
Goals from Sophie Bray and Alex Danson sealed the comeback and the top spot means Team GB will face fourth-placed Spain from Pool A for a place in the semi-finals.
In the pool, former Loughborough College student Fran Halsall finished fourth in the women’s 50m freestyle final in 24.13 seconds, just two hundredths of a second away from an Olympic medal.
After the 50m freestyle final Halsall said: “It’s disappointing not to come away with the result I wanted … but it’s my best performance of the year in an Olympic final, so I can’t do any more than that really. I’ve done everything I could this year to give myself the best chance and I’m proud of that.
“I’ve been able to enjoy my racing, while previous seasons have been quite tough with that. I was able to enjoy the atmosphere and put in a really solid race.”
Halsall returned to the pool later with fellow former student Siobhan-Marie O’Connor for the women's 4x100m medley relay final, where Team GB finished seventh in a new British record of 3:56.96 minutes
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor said: “It’s such a great way to finish off with those girls and we got a British record as well which tops it off really.
“It’s been such a brilliant week and one of the most successful weeks Britain have ever had at the Olympics so it’s been a dream week really.
“We’ve had a couple of tough finishes with fourths but everyone has worked their absolute hardest to be here and everyone should hold their heads up high.
“I’m just going to try to enjoy the rest of the Olympics, we’re here in Rio and it’s an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity.”
On day nine Matthew Hudson-Smith will race in the 400m final, James Dasaolu competes in the 100m semi-final, fellow former Loughborough College students Robbie Grabarz and Chris Baker compete in the Men’s High Jump Qualification current student Katie Clark joins partner Olivia Federici for the Synchronised Swimming Duet Free Routine.
Pictured: Former Loughborough College student James Dasaolu of Great Britain competed alongside Usain Bolt in yesterday’s 100m heats in Rio – and here he is racing alongside the Jamaican athlete in the 2012 Olympic Men’s 100m first round heats.(Alex Broadway/SWpix)