by Alex Hoad at the Olympic Stadium

A tearful Jack Green admitted he was feeling ‘battered’ after crashing out of the Olympic 400m hurdles in the semi-final on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old European under-23 champion was a dark horse to make the final, but he clattered into hurdle three and hit the track to produce massive groans from the 80,000 crowd who had welcomed him so warmly with raucous cheers.

Green (pictured), possibly put off by Puerto Rican Javier Culson starting like a train in the next lane on his way to a time of 47.93, appeared to lose his stride pattern approaching the third hurdle and thumped onto the running surface painfully.

In a brief interview the former Snodland and Hythe star admitted wryly: "I hit hurdle three and managed to hit the floor as well, which is not conducive to running quick times in the 400m."

He explained: "It was a lack of experience. I felt a headwind blowing into my face into hurdle three and so I thought ‘you’ve got to pick this up’ and then I just messed up and hit the hurdle.

"I’m battered as you can tell."

Green (pictured after dropping out of the race) hopes his debut Games is not over, and harbours hopes of being included in the 4x400m relay team for the opening round on Thursday morning.

He said: "Hopefully I get picked for the relay. I haven’t hurt myself in any way. I know I can run a quick time and get us in the medals."

Pictures: Barry Goodwin