OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Halsall misses medal in sprint

By Ben Burrows, Sportsbeat, London 2012

FRAN Halsall missed out on a London 2012 Olympic medal by just 0.08 seconds after finishing fifth in the 50 metres freestyle final.

After qualifying fifth fastest the 22-year-old had a realistic chance of a medal but her time of 24.47 secs wasn’t good enough as Ranomi Kromowidjojo touched first for gold in a new Olympic record time of 24.05 secs.

It is double disappointment for Southport-born Halsall after she finished sixth in the 100m freestyle final on Thursday.

And the tearful Halsall – making her second Games appearance – was left devastated feeling like she let the Olympic Aquatics Centre capacity crowd down.

“I just want to say that the support that we’ve had this week has been unbelievable and the crowd have been unbelievable and I’m just a bit disappointed that I haven’t been unbelievable this week,” said the seven-time Commonwealth Games medallist.

“Things are sent to try us and we’re British and when things are sent to try the British people we come back stronger.”

© Sportsbeat 2012