No Olympic medal for Rutherford

BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008

Greg Rutherford's chances of winning a medal at the Beijing Olympics slipped through his hands this afternoon (Monday).

The long jumper endured a miserable final as he recorded two no jumps and a leap of 7.84metres.


By the time Rutherford managed to register a jump it was too late and he did not make the cut for the final three attempts.

A disappointed Rutherford sought consolation from his coach, but his appearance in the men's long jump final is another positive sign for Team GB ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

The 21-year-old got off to the worst possible start as he was shown the red flag for a no jump.

And at his next opportunity Rutherford prepared his run up but appeared to lose his stride as continued straight into the sand pit. The jump did not stand and clearly uncomfortable with how he was performing Rutherford headed straight to coach Frank Attoh to seek advice.

Unfortunately, Rutherford, a Milton Keynes Athletics Club member, could not pull a wonder jump out of the bag and crashed out of the Olympics.

He automatically qualified for the final with a leap of 8.16m in his first attempt which earned him third place on Saturday.

Two years ago Rutherford shot to fame when he won a silver medal at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.

Rutherford's appearance in the final made him the most successful athlete from Milton Keynes to take part in the Beijing Olympics.

Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson lost in the badminton mixed doubles quarter-finals, while Craig Pickering was knocked out of the men's 100meters in round two.