Athletics: Holligan brushes off mix-up to set new PB

EDINBURGH'S Thomas Holligan insists nothing will stand in his way of realising his European Youth Olympic Festival dream after overcoming a scheduling mix-up to book a place in today's 200m semi-finals.

The 17-year-old was all set to strut his stuff at Trabzon's Sogutlu Athletics Stadium yesterday in the fourth and final heat, only to find out late on that he was in fact running in the first heat half an hour earlier. But the Edinburgh AC ace reacted positively storming to a new personal best of 21.59 seconds and comfortably progressing as the third fastest. And after overcoming the early obstacles Turkey has thrown at him, Holligan is convinced there is more to come.

"I am really pleased with the race and getting through to the final because I ran a lot earlier than I was expecting to," the Firrhill High School pupil said.

"I was going to run hard anyway and give it my all because I want this so much but the mix up with the heats meant I didn't do any fast running in my preparation until I had to race.

"So with all that considering I am really pleased not only to qualify but also to post a really fast time. I could have gone faster out there if I was able to loosen up"

• Bank of Scotland is a Proud Partner for Scotland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Official Supporter of Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival. Visit: www.bankofscotland.co.uk/london2012