Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton (right) is consoled by Australia's Sally Pearson after she failed to advance to the semi-finals of the women's 100 metres hurdles at the London Olympics yesterday. Foster-Hylton clipped the fifth hurdle and finished seventh in her heat. - AP

LONDON, England:

Leford Green was Jamaica's lone finalist on the fourth day of track and field competition at the Olympic Games in London - a day that brought smile and tears and a few surprises on the day.

Green, as usual ran a brave race but just couldn't find the legs to keep up with the experienced field, crossing the line in 49.12 and in seventh place, with Dominican Republic veteran Felix Sanchez winning in 47.63 seconds ahead of silver medallist Michael Tinsley (USA), 47.91 and Javier Culson, 48.10.

"It's not what I was looking for but it's a championship, I had heavy legs but it's a final and anything could have happened, so I just went out there and did my best," Green said before expressing pride in his effort.

happy

"I'm really happy that I was able to make the final of the Olympics, it was all Olympic and World champions with the exception of Bershawn Jackson, which means this was the best field within the last 10 years," Green noted. "All the Olympic champions from 2000 up to now were in the race and I think I did the best I could."

All three Jamaicans progressed safely to the semi-finals of the women's 200m, which is scheduled for today at 8:45 p.m. (2:45 p.m. Ja time), but veteran sprint hurdler, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, who entered her final Olympic Games in the form of her life, clipped the fifth hurdle and failed to progress in the 100m hurdles heats.

Disappointment also for Latoya Greaves, who had to sit out her first Olympic Games because of what team officials described as a side injury, leaving Shermaine Williams the only semi-finals qualifier after her fourth place finish in 13.07. The women's 100 hurdles semi-final is set for 7:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m. Ja time).

Melaine Walker, the defending Olympic champion, failed to progress to the 400m hurdles final, after a lethargic sixth-place finish in her semi-final in 55.74. Nickiesha Wilson, also failed to move on with a fifth place 55.77 finish leaving Jamaica's medal hopes on Kaliese Spencer, who was second in her semi-final in 54.20.

Traves Smikle threw a 61.85m mark on his final attempt but it was not enough to put him in the discus final. Jason Morgan finished his qualifying group with a best of 57.46m.

Hurdling trio Hansle Parchment, Andrew Riley and Richard Phillips are also in action in the 110m hurdles heats tomorrow at 10:10 a.m. (4:10 a.m. Ja time).