ABERDEEN RUNNER UPBEAT OVER CHANCES OF MAKING GAMES IN CHINA DESPITE TOUGH COMPETITION

Fachie picking up speed for Beijing selection

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Aberdeen’s Neil Fachie banked a double medal haul at the Paralympic World Cup but was still left in the slipstream of two favourites for Beijing gold.

Ireland’s Jason Smyth set a new 10.85sec world record in the 100m, as Fachie chased him down nearly six tenths slower for bronze.

Fachie, who trains at the Grampian Institute of Sport, improved to claim silver in the 400m but this time it was Morocco’s Mahmoud Khaldi who stormed to gold.

“Jason is ripping up the track at the moment and leading the way for the rest of us to follow,” said Fachie.

“There is a group of ten or 12 of us who are right behind him. We all believe we’ve got a shot at a medal in Beijing – it’s just the case of who wants it most.”

However, Fachie is still to learn whether he’s secured a place at his first Paralympics. UK Athletics selectors will not make their decision until next month, although his weekend performances in Manchester won’t have done the 24-year old any harm.

He said: “I know I can still go faster and I finish every race knowing there is more I can do.

“I’m confident I’ll qualify, it’s just a case of keeping in shape and staying healthy. London 2012 is still my ultimate target and is when I’ll be in my prime.

“But if I make it to Beijing I believe I can be right in the medal shake-up.” The Paralympic World Cup is hosted by the British Paralympic Association.

It is sanctioned by the IPC and IWBF, and supported by UK Sport, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.