and so we lose niklas sjoblom of sweden and angelika huemer-toff, the austrian champion.
angelika had a splendid outing, improving her best performance by 18 yards from 44 to 52.
still there were tears.
it gets harder with each runner
they have invested so much of themselves in pursuit of a dream.
the long process of qualifying
the difficulty of international travel
the training
the preparation
and so much sweat and pain on the course.
.
they have survived the early rounds
and made it to money time.
they have watched as the number on the field has shrunk and shrunk.
.
and then the dream is shattered.
.
but that is the truth of all sports
the joy of victory is paid for with the sorrow of defeat.
if success was guaranteed to all
it would bring no joy.