Samuel Pihlström was long in the battle for one of the six direct spots to the Olympic Games semifinal on 1,500 meters, but the Swede finished eighth in his heat with a time of 3:36,80.
He was only 18 hundredths from a direct spot to the semifinal.
Instead, Pihlström will have to run a repechage heat on Saturday to try to reach the Olympic Games final.
I'm giving myself a chance, but it's bitter to be so close. The last 50 meters were tough, says Pihlström.
He thinks his form feels good.
It has responded well before the Olympic Games and it responds well today too. But there are seven who are stronger.
Now it's just going home, eating, and resting. I've competed several days in a row before. Sometimes it's four days in a row at the Swedish Championships.
