Former Port Alberni athlete Brooke Pighin’s bid to throw javelin in the 2012 Olympics in London England has fallen short.
But the indomitable Pighin sees a silver lining in the situation.
“This just leaves me more time to train for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. It’s what I always wanted since I was a kid,” Pighin said from her home in Seattle.
Pighin pulled up short at the Olympic qualifying event last week in Calgary, Alta. She had legal throws of 44 and 46 metres before fouling on her next two throws.
B.C. athlete Elizabeth Gleadle took first place with a throw of 60 metre, while second and third place finishers Krista Woodward and Tiffany Perkins took second and third place respectively with throws of 53 and 52 metres. All qualified for the London games.
“I threw one out of bounds that was 53 metres,” Pighin said. “Everyone struggled though and it wasn’t my best performance.”
Pighin said she knew she was capable of better, but chooses to be excited about the next four years leading up to Brazil.
Her first order of business is getting ready for the World Championships in Nice, France in 2013, she said.
Pighin got back to competition after taking a year off to rehabilitate her arm after elbow surgery two years ago.
The Olympic trials weren’t Pighin’s only honour this year.
The University of Washington student graduated this year with degrees in sociology with an emphasis in marketing, and diversity.
Pighin makes it home to Port Alberni less often these days but says she enjoys her stays with family and friends when she’s here.“They have a nice lake here in Seattle. It’s nice but it’s not Sproat Lake,” Pighin said.
Track shorts… Pighin is trying to raise funds to underwrite her Olympic bid in 2016. Her online fundraiser can be found at www.indiegogo.com/brookepighin
Donations of any amount can be contributed at the site for the next 50 days.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
