Matthews misses the chance of a lifetime but is still looking up

Posted: Monday 16th July 2012 | 15:23

SASHA Matthews admits she missed the chance of a lifetime last month after coming within a whisker of earning selection for the London 2012 Olympics.

STILL PROUD: Sasha Matthews missed out on qualification for the upcoming Olympics in London

The 21-year-old came fifth in the final of the 200m freestyle at the ASA Nationals at the end of June - the event acting as the second and final Olympic trials.

Matthews clocked a time of 2:00.37 minutes with her finish short of what was required to qualify for the Games as Nova Centurion teammate Rebecca Adlington took gold.

However Matthews is refusing to be downbeat, desperate to return to the international stage after European Championship and Commonwealth Games appearances in 2010.

"The ASA Nationals didn't really meet up to my expectations, I missed out on the Olympics but I suppose these things are sent to test us," said Matthews.

"I was disappointed, everyone trains for that moment and it didn't quite come off for me, but then again it didn't for a lot of people so I'm just going to get back in the pool next season and work really hard to do what I know I can do.

"Getting to London was always something that was in the back of my mind, particularly at an Olympic trials, it was a great chance, it's such a big thing, but I'm so proud of what I achieved, it's bitter-sweet.

"Hopefully I will come back a lot stronger and have a great season next year. It has tested me, but the worlds are coming up, hopefully I can make that, it's the stepping stones now until the next Olympics."

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