Caymanian track hopeful Davontè Howell closed out his Olympic campaign on Saturday after missing a semi-final placement by .18 seconds.
He placed sixth in heat five on the 100-metre sprint, with a time of 10.24 seconds. Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi won the heat in 10.02. Earlier Howell had blazed through the preliminary round.
Howell said he was “perfectly fine” with the result and acknowledged that it was his first Games, but won’t be his last.
“We live and we learn, there’s a lot more to improve,” he said noting that he didn’t have a good start off the blocks.
“It’s not anything that I’m sad about. I’m glad I made it this far… its been a long season… so, I’m tired, my body is tired, I’m glad I have a little bit [of time now] to rest.”
Howell had gotten off to a good start in his Olympic debut run earlier in the morning when he won his preliminary round to advance to heat five of round one.
Olympics: Howell wins 100m prelim and advances to the next round
After his prelim race, Howell, who has a personal best time of 10.09, had noted that it was a good run and that he wanted to save some energy for the next rounds.
He did just that bettering his time from the morning prelims in round 1 but it wasn’t enough for the two-time CARIFTA gold medalist to realise his dream of qualifying for the semi-finals.
As for the outpouring of support for all the Cayman athletes, Howell said he is grateful.
“It feels great honestly,” he said. “That’s one of my biggest dreams to have the Cayman Islands behind me while I run. So, being able to put on this shirt, with the flag on it and represent Cayman on the biggest stage there is, I’m really happy.”
Countrywoman Charlotte Webster – the lone Cayman athlete left competing in Paris – will continue her sailing throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Should Webster qualify for the medal race, that competition will take place on 6 Aug.
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