Rowes hits the roof after discus disappointment

DISCUS thrower Philippa Rowes was left fuming following her Beijing appearance after under-performing and failing to qualify for the final.

The 30-year-old was always going to struggle to make the Olympic final - with the Welsh ace needing to three 61.50m to guarantee her berth - which is nine centimetres more than her season's best.

Rowe's premature departure leaves just British sprinter Christian Malcolm as Wales' sole representative in the Team GB track and field squad.

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The British No.1 got off to the worst possible start as she failed with her opening effort, before logging a distance of 56.88m with her second throw - which is more than six metres down on her lifetime best.

Needing a huge throw in her final attempt - Rowe lacked any cohesion in the circle and could only produce a below-par effort of 57.44m.

"I was either going to do really well or really bad and in the end it was really bad," said Rowe. "It's really tough - I just kept topping my throw and it didn't come off.

"Training has been going really well and I thought I'd get through to the final without a problem. I know now what I did wrong but it's too late to change it now.

"My warm up was excellent and I thought it could be my night.

But my first throw really threw me, I was really put off when I heard the click of the cameras on the floor and I buried it into the net."

Rowe admitted it's now back to the drawing board after her horror showing under the lights and flashing cameras.

With lessons well and truly learned - Rowe now has her sights on the London 2012 Olympics and making her mark when it matters most at a home Games.

"I lost my rhythm after that and it was really hard to get refocused and back on track," she added.

"I know there is only a small adjustment I need to make to get over 60m regularly. I want to carry on to London but four years is a long time.

"I just need to keep motivated and use this experience to remind me what competing at this level is all about.

"I'm getting a bit older but there was a girl in my heat who was 48 - not that I'm going on that long."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing