Four years ago, after missing out on the London Olympics by 0.17 second, English put a picture of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer on the wall of his dorm room at UCD, where he’s studying medicine, promising himself he’d be there, come 2016. A foot injury meant rmissing three months of training earlier this season, but he’s eased himself back, running 1:45.36 in London just prior to leaving for Rio, and although short of his best of 1:44.84, European outdoor bronze and indoor silver over the last two years suggests he has the experience to progress beyond his heat.