South African star swimmer Townsend misses Olympic mark

DURBAN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Darian Townsend, winner of the men's 4X100m relay at 2004 Athens Olympics, failed to reach the Olympic mark of the 200m freestyle Wednesday despite winning the race at the South African national swimming championships.taylormade drivers

He finished in one minute 47.88 seconds, 0.06 seconds outside the qualifying mark for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.taylormade irons

Townsend, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Games in the relay with Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns and Ryk Neethling, will get further chances this week to book a ticket to the Olympics.callaway drivers

"Missing the qualifying time is a little bit disappointing, but I still have the 200m individual medley, which is my main event, and the 100m freestyle to come," the 27-year-old said.taylormade r11 driver

"My best shot of getting a medal in London is going to be the 200m individual medley and the 4x100m freestyle relay and the 200m freestyle clashes with the relay.

"It would have been a tough decision to make -- now that decision is kind of made for me," Townsend said.

Meanwhile, Charl Crous boosted his chances of going to the Games by timing below the qualifying time in the semifinals and final en route to 100m backstroke success.taylormade rocketballz driver

No South African swimmer won a medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.taylormade r11s driver