Team Philippines: Torres out after dismal long jump

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ long jumper Marestella Torres is out of the Olympics after a dismal performance in the qualification round Tuesday, August 7.

Torres set the Southeast Asia record with her personal best of 6.71 meters at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. She registered a disappointing 6.22 in London. 

Her subpar outing put her at 22nd of 28.

Had Torres been able to duplicate her best jump, the 31-year-old would have qualified for the finals. Russia’s Elena Solokova, who jumped a 6.71, finished 4th in the qualification round and advanced.

The final qualifier, Belarus’ Veronika Shutkova, jumped 6.40 meters.

This was Torres’ second shot at an Olympic medal, having competed in Beijing but jumping merely 6.49 meters after injuring her knee. Her departure from the Games leaves the Philippines with two athletes still competing — Rene Herrera, who will be competing in the 5000 meters, and BMX biker Daniel Caluag.

Both will race later today. – Rappler.com

For more on the Olympics, visit the Olympics: London 2012 Microsite. 

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