The U.S. Olympic Trials in track and field are unforgiving, as athletes are not chosen by a committee, but by their performance at the event. Bryan Clay learned this lesson the hard way on Saturday, when the 2008 Olympic decathlon champ failed to make the U.S. team.
Clay missed his chance to return to the Olympics for the third time after falling during the 110m hurdles. Originally, he was disqualified for tripping his opponent, but his points were reinstated after a review by track officials. Still, the slow time on the run put Clay in 11th place, far out of the top three needed to make the Olympic team.
Though he didn't make this team, Clay will still be remembered as a juggernaut for the U.S. at the grueling, 10-event decathlon. He won silver in 2004, and in 2008, his margin of victory (240 points) was the largest since 1972.
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