Janus Robberts stood on sacred ground at the ancient Olympia Stadium and held back the tears.
”I cannot believe this. It’s unbelievable that I failed here at this sacred Olympian site,” said the big man who was in shape to challenge for an Olympic medal when the men’s shot-put event got under way on Wednesday.
Both Robberts and fellow South African shot-put athlete Burger Lambrechts suffered disastrous qualifying rounds for the finals at the breathtaking site where the first Olympics were held in 776 BC.
Earlier, the women’s shot-put preliminaries had been the first competition at the site since 393 AD, when the ancient Olympics were abolished by the Roman emperor Theodosius as a pagan practice.
And one could almost sense the ancient phantoms among the athletes and spectators as Robberts warmed up with a 20,19m shot. He then inexplicably tensed up with his first official heave of 19,41m. His face creased as he left the circle and the frown never left his face with his following two efforts that were no-throws.
”I was in awesome shape. I don’t now where it went wrong,” said a downcast Robberts, who came to Athens rated fourth in the world after a 21,24m in Prague in June. He then threw 21,02m a month later at the African Championships in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lambrechts, who came to Athens struggling to find form, fell out in similar fashion with an 18,67m first throw followed by an 18,63m effort.
American shot-putter Adam Nelson, the Sydney Olympics silver medallist, led the qualifying competition with 21,15m. Only six men went over the automatic qualifying mark of 20,40m.
Lambrechts was just as bitterly disappointed.
”Janus and I came here with our fellow shot-put athletes and walked among the old stones and ancient ruins that were like memorials of champions of ancient Greek athletes,” mused the gentle giant.
”But we are still in Olympia today. I tried not to think too much of the historical significance when I threw. But I have been struggling to hit form this season. So as things turned out I ended up throwing a ‘short-put’,” he smiled.
But behind the smile there was a deep sadness in his eyes. He then shrugged his massive shoulders.
”I guess the ghosts of the ancient Greek athletes would have a chuckle at that.”
Seated on the grass slopes among the 15 000 spectators were Robberts’s parents, Robbie and Alta, who were expecting big things from their son.
”This is such a privilege to be here,” said Robberts. ”It’s special. It’s the greatest honour for any Olympic athlete. That’s why I can’t believe I bombed out like this. I wanted to get into this final so badly. My confidence was high but as soon as competition started I tensed up for some reason.
”My parents were out here today and we were all primed up for something special. But you know what? This is still very special. It’s an historical occasion. I’m going to rest up and watch the final and absorb the amazing atmosphere with my folks.” — Sapa
Special Report: Olympics 2004