Dolan falls short, still has olympic shot

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ryan Dolan paddled Friday in the 200 meters at the U.S. kayak trials. Dolan had a chance to clinch an Olympic berth, but finished second.

OKLAHOMA CITY » Hawaii's Ryan Dolan failed to wrap up the men's Olympic spot in the 200-meter race at the U.S. kayak trials Friday. He led most of the way, but Tim Hornsby of Atlanta passed him in the final 10 meters to win by eight-hundredths of a second.

The two will continue their chase for the lone U.S. men's spot in the Olympics next month, with whoever finishes higher at a World Cup race in Germany moving on to the London Games.

"I'm a little disappointed in myself because I felt like I was leading and then I, for whatever reason, slowed down," Dolan said. "Hats off to Tim. He had a great race.

"Me and him have been going at it for the last two years over the 200. He got me today. It's unfortunate because I can't yet go to the Olympics."

Hornsby paddled his red kayak across the finish line in 37.97 seconds, with Dolan -- one lane to his left -- right behind at 38.05. The races were held with a flag-stiffening side wind coming out of the north.

"All the guys are paddling really well and Ryan's obviously an amazing athlete," Hornsby said. "I'm just happy to be able to train with these guys and race with these guys. It's just a good, fun weekend."

Hornsby got into the sport after the 1996 Olympics near his home in Atlanta and, like Dolan, is seeking his first trip to the Olympics. Dolan only got into the sport four years ago after starting out in outrigger canoes.

Dolan was the only man who could have clinched a spot in London, having qualified the U.S. for an Olympic berth by winning a bronze medal at last year's Pan Am Games.

"It's going to take me a little while for this one to sink in a little bit, just because there was so much buildup to this one," Dolan said. "But I'm going to get back up, start training again and that's my last chance, so it's going to have to be important."