Shattered Weir can only take silver

By Paul Carter

A crestfallen David Weir had to make do with a silver medal in the T44 400m after a devastating display of racing by Lixin Zhang of China.

Despite breaking his own world record by over a tenth of a second, Weir came in almost 20m behind Zhang, who stunned everyone by demolishing the record by over a second in 45.07.

After the race, Weir revealed he had been suffering from a mystery illness.

“I don’t feel right,” said Weir. “My heart is working overtime and I know my body.

“I’ve had glandular fever in the past and I know I’m susceptible to pick up anything.”

It was cruel timing for the multiple world champion, who, having never won a Paralympic gold, was aiming to collect five in Beijing, starting with his strongest event.

“I knew I needed to go low 45 [seconds] to win. In training I’ve been going as quick as him.

“But this is the toughest category in the world with three rounds in every event and I want people to know that.”

Weir was due to have a blood test, and it was initially unclear whether or not he would be fit to race in his next final, the 5,000m, which is due to take place this afternoon (Thursday) British time.

But in the early hours of this morning, he completed and won his 800m heat and said he was feeling more positive and would compete in the 5,000m final.