The Olympic dream for Karene King and Chantel Malone came to an end in Halifax, Canada on Sunday, during their final opportunity to qualify for the London Olympic Games on July 27.
Ms. King seeking to make the Olympic Games 200 metre B qualifying standard of 23.30 seconds was third with a time of 23.65 seconds.
“The experience has been wonderful,” Ms. King said. “This has been my best season so far and I’m am so thankful to God for a life like mine. I have learnt that you have to stay mentally strong at all times, as well as continue to pray, believe and have faith.”
“I have worked long and hard but still came up short. This is a minor setback for a major comeback, towards World Championships 2013,” she added.
Ms. King came within .13/100 seconds of the 200 metre qualifying mark with a personal and season’s best of 23.43 seconds and ran a wind aided times of 23.27 and 23.37 seconds. She said she’s thankful for all the support that she received from the BVI Olympic Committee, the BVI Athletics Association and the community in her quest to become an Olympian.
“I thank the Lord for guiding me through my journey. I’m still standing strong because of his mercies,” she said. “I also wish Tahesia (Harrigan-Scott) nothing but the best at the Olympic Games.”
Chantel Malone’s Olympic dream ended with a second place run of 53.02 seconds in the 400 metres — well off her season’s best of 52.48 and her 52.35 personal best—which is the Olympic Games B qualifying mark.
Ms. Malone ran 52.82 seconds to finish third in the 400 metres in Thursday’s Moncton Hub City Classic.