Reigning Olympic decathlon champion Bryan Clay will almost definitely miss this summer's London Games after a disastrous showing at the United States trials today.
The 32-year-old received a disqualification in the 110 metres hurdles after hitting the ninth obstacle and pushing over the final barrier, however he was reinstated upon appeal.
Clay then went on the foul all three of his throws in the discus, making his hurdles time of 16.81 seconds irrelevant.
His manager Paul Doyle told Reuters: "I am sure [that the disqualification] weighed on Bryan in the discus."
American rules stipulate that athletes must finish in the top three at the trials if they are to qualify for the Olympics.
Clay, who won gold in Beijing and silver in Athens, is now unable to meet the qualifying criteria.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
