From Noel O'Reilly in Sydney

28/10/00: John Fulham bowed out of the Sydney Paralympics this morning after failing to make an impact in the 100 metres final. The wheelchair sprinter had set a seasons best of 16.38 seconds in the heats to qualify for his favoured event.

However, Fulham only scraped through as the slowest of the fastest losers, an indication if one were needed of the enormity of the task he faced in challenging for a medal. As it turned out the standard was just to high for the Limerick athlete, the pace that fraction too quick.

It would have taken a massive effort for Fulham to have even scored a bronze and his time of 16.64 seconds was good enough only for last of the eight starters in the final. He started reasonably well, 29-year-old was been struggling with his starts all week and worked hard to put the problem right, but could not live with the leadersh and was first to fade.

"It’s hard to give an analysis of the race at the moment but I can tell you if feels pretty crap," said Fulham after the race. "I’ve come eighth in the final and that’s not good by my standards. What’s done is done and there’s nothing I can do about it."

Fulham had gone into the race with high hopes. He has beaten all but one of his rivals this year and a win in August of this year in Sweden had boosted his optimism. He must reflect now upon what proved to be an anti-climatic experience.

"I always felt there was a chance," he said. "I’ve proven myself throughout the year that I can beat these guys . . . naturally I’m disappointed."

There was no joy for Collete O’Reilly, another member of the wheelchair team, in her 400 metres semi-final. Again, she will have the consolation of having set a seasons best 1:31.03 but was unable to force a place in the final.