'Heartbroken' Sam McIntosh apologises to family after missing out on 100m T52 final

A "heartbroken" Sam McIntosh apologised to his family after missing the final by just 0.12 seconds in the men's 100m T52 heats at the Paris Paralympics.

With his sister in attendance to cheer him on, Mcintosh, 34, finished fifth in a time of 17.88 seconds which was not enough to qualify to the medal round.

The Aussie wheelchair racer has competed internationally in para athletics since 2011 and is competing in his fourth Paralympics.

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Speaking to Nine moments after having his chances dashed, McIntosh could not hide his disappointment, even though he had to contend with health issues ahead of the meet.

"Honestly I'm a little heartbroken. It's hard not to be disappointed. It's been a big year," he said.

"I started the year in hospital and needed some blood transfusions, not the best start to get me into it.

"I've pushed much faster this year (but) it's pretty heartbreaking not to be able to get that out when it matters."

The para-athlete added: "All my family back home I know they are cheering me on. Sorry I didn't get through to the final.

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"My girlfriend Carol Anne thanks for cheering me on and being everything when it matters. My coach Fred, he's been with me since London. It's been a long road hopefully we can go upwards from here. "

McIntosh's life changed dramatically on a family holiday in 2007, when he broke his neck while riding a BMX bike.

Since then he has faced more challenges. Nearly a year after making his international debut in 2011, he was celebrating the 2012 New Year when his wheelchair flipped backwards and he fractured his C7 vertebrae.

It was three months before he returned to training, and the accident left him with even less movement in his neck than before.

Yet he didn't let that get him down and found his way back to the track and has gone on to represent Australia internationally in London, Rio, Japan and now Paris.

He nearly nabbed a medal in 2016, where he placed fourth in the men's 100m T52 final, missing out on a place on the podium by just 0.44 seconds. He also came close in Tokyo finishing fourth again.

He said being part of Paralympic movement gave him goals to achieve and also connected him with other people in the same predicament.

"A sense of community it's amazing every four years it comes around it's incredible how much the Australian Paralympic movement has grown and what a community it is.

"It has really given me a sense of belonging since having my accident."

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