Support for Dai Greene after 400m hurdles finals fourth place

Dai Greene came fourth in the 400m hurdles final

Family and friends say Welsh medal favourite Dai Greene will bounce back after finishing fourth in the 400m hurdles final on Monday night.

Greene, 26, from Llanelli was tipped as one of Wales' best gold medal hopes.

But the Team GB athletics captain was unable to shine during London 2012 against a stronger field.

His former university coach said Greene will return stronger after reflecting on what happened. His great aunt said his family were proud of his effort.

After the race, Greene said he "gave it everything".

Sean Power, retired director of athletics at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said Greene put in a great time of 48.24 seconds compared with winner Felix Sanchez's season's best of 47.63 seconds.

"He will take it badly in terms of what he expects from himself but he is a strong personality," said Mr Power, who still coaches young athletes.

"He can come back from this definitely," he said.

'Absolutely superb'

"He seemed prepared for it but I suspect he will have to reflect with his coach to determine what happened."

Greene's great aunt and uncle cheered him on with locals in the packed-out pub in his home village in Felinfoel.

"He will come back a stronger person," said Gwyneth Greene.

"We are still very proud of him."

Harry Watkin landlady Linda Cross said Greene had already done the community proud winning a clutch of other medals.

Other locals on social media website Twitter said Llanelli was proud of him.

The world champion, who lives in Bath, had been a favourite to win gold.

'Bitterly disappointed'

But he surprised pundits earlier in the competition by finishing fourth in his semi-final, with only first and second guaranteed a place in Monday's final.

His time was quick enough to make the final as one of the two fastest outside the top two.

Marion Williams from Swansea Harriers Athletics Club, who spotted schoolboy's Greene potential, said: "It's awesome to see him in a Great Britain uniform representing GB in the Olympic final.

"It's absolutely superb."

Sport Wales chair Laura McAllister said: "We know that Dai will be bitterly disappointed.

"He's one of the most focused, talented and hardworking athletes.

"Unfortunately, the narrowest of margins are involved at this highest level and perhaps the injury earlier in the year took its toll," she said.

"To finish fourth in that line up is a sign that Dai will be in contention come Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016."