Donna's Olympic Run
16 Aug 2008
Tasmania's sole representative in the Australian athletics team in Beijing has finished 9th in her heat at the Birds Nest.
On paper, MacFarlane was ranked 3rd going into her heat, but unexpectedley struggled on day 1 of the track & field program. The Tassie superstar ran 9th in 9.32.05, a time that she has bettered on many occasions this year.
There were three heats, with the first four from each heat and the next three fastest times, making up the field of 15 for the final. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for the Sandy Bay athlete and her Olympic journey ended sooner than she would have wanted.
"I'm really dissapointed. I've got such a strong support base in Australia and particuarly in Tasmania and they are going to be so dissapointed and I'm really sorry about that," she said from Beijing.
"I just didnt feel good and I don't know why. Normally my water jumps aren't the strongest aspect of my race and today they weren't good at all. I seemed to hit my non preferred foot for each water jump and a few times I got passed."
"I've run so well all year and this is the thing I've been aiming towards. Its just tough, very dissapointing."
The Tasmanian athletic family congratulates Donna on getting as far as she did.
More details avaiable at www.athletics.com.au