I CAME, I SAW, I DID NOT CONQUER......

So I did not qualify for the finals of the Women's Long Jump. I guess it just was not meant to be this time around. I gave everything that I had in my effort to come here and compete to the best of my God given ability and sometimes, His plans are not ours. And I have accepted that.

A quote that I often refer to is one that my mother frequently says, "When man on earth has done his best, the angels in heaven can do no better!" And I believe this wholeheartedly.

This morning I woke up and I told myself to keep my head up, maintain my poise and to count my blessings for they are many. Obviously, I wanted to show my worth here and jump like I know that I'm capable of but the odds proved to be insurmountable this time around.

I felt pretty good. I was about 80 percent over the virus and felt good enough to get the job done. I am still not wholly well. My timing however was waaaaay off! My runup to the takeoff board which is oh so crucial in my event, was shaky and inconsistent. I'm not sure if I wasn't focused enough or whether my acceleration was insufficient, but I do know that I did not execute. One of my 3 jumps was just a run through - a run through!!! I've only ever done that once in my ENTIRE long jump career that I can recall, about 7 years ago.

Anyway, so that's it. I've cried. I've digested. I've accepted it and I'm still here. I'm gonna be OK you know. I have accomplished so much in my career and I am proud of that. I am a former Olympic finalist, I am a 3 time World Championshipe finalist, I am a 2 Time NCAA champion, still Stanford University and The Bahamas long jump record holder, and I've been ranked in the top 10 in the world several times. Along the way, I have never lost sight of my character and my self-respect. There are others whose fate is far worse than anything I could imagine. The young lady that has the world's farthest jump in my event for the year and who looked like a "sure" gold medal hopeful, also did not qualify for tomorrow night's final. She had foul trouble as well.

I don't have a monopoly on things going awry here at The Games. I'm sure you've all seen a few of these happenings as you watch the coverage. Lolo Jones in the women's 100m hurdles, hitting the 9th hurdle and stumbling from 1st place to 6th I think. Churandy Martina (AHO) and Wallace Spearmon (USA) both being disqualified after thinking they had won the silver and bronze medals respectively in the men's 200m for running on the line.

The Olympic Games are not a gimme. When you see people's successes on the track, do not take them lightly! Hard work, talent, execution and yes a little luck and fortune all must come together and sometime it does and sometimes unfortunately it doesn't. For me, sadly, it didn't. Thanks to all of you for your love, support and encouragement. I have hung onto that and it has made my journey all the better.

On another note my friend David, won his semi-final race last night in the men's 110m hurdles. He looks fantastic and ready and poised for success. I'm so excited for tonight's final. You don't have to wonder where I'll be tonight at 9:40pm Beijing time. D.O. the King, Do your thing! Lol! This time is your time. Carpe Diem!! Now if this rain would just stop......