GRAEME Ballard was unable to add to his 100m silver medal in London last night, but the Chorley sprinter believes he leaves the Olympic Stadium with his head held high.

Ballard was pipped to bronze in the T36 200m final by British team-mate Ben Rushgrove, crossing the finishing line in fourth last night.

Hopes had been high going into the race that he could double his medal tally but Ballard trailed Rushgrove by 0.37 seconds, clocking a time of 25.20secs.

That was a touch slower than his personal best of 25.12secs ran earlier this season, but even that wouldn not have been enough to beat Rushgrove, who ran a new best time of 24.83secs.

The race was won in a new European record of 24.70secs by Ukraine’s Roman Pavlyk, beating reigning champion and world record holder So Wa Wai, of Hong Kong, who took silver.

Ballard was philosophical about his fourth place, insisting his 100m silver medal was just reward for a good Games performance.

“I was beaten by the better three men on the day,” said the 33-year-old. “What goes around comes around and sport is one of those things where you lose some and you win some.

“I executed the race as well as I could have done and I got off to a really good start. In the middle I tried to pick it up but I couldn’t quite find that extra gear and it is really difficult to say why.

“But if someone had said to me before London 2012 that I would win one silver medal from my two events I would have taken that, definitely.

“I have absolutely no regrets and I couldn’t have done any more so I can leave with my head held high.”

Ballard approached the halfway point in contention for a medal after a strong start around the bend from lane five.

But Pavlyk and Wa Wai slowly moved clear leaving Ballard in a straight race with Rushgrove for bronze.

Though disappointed to lose out, with Rushgrove edging clear over the final 50m, Ballard admitted he was pleased to see a team-mate get some glory.

“I’m pleased to see Ben get a medal because he was really distraught after the 100m,” said Ballard.

“I can bet that this will be a right good boost for him.

“It proves as well that I am only human and I can make errors.

“This time my 100m turned out to be the stronger event, but sometimes it is the 200m and I don’t really have a favoured event.

“I will have a rest then I will get back in training , work on my 200m, and then get ready for the World Championships.”

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