Annsert Whyte ran the race of his life, but narrowly missed out on a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Thursday, August 18.
Whyte, backed by a personal best in each round, 48.37 in the heats and 48.32 in the semi-finals, ran even faster in the final, 48.07 for 5th place.
“I came out with a PB and it’s my first Olympics, so I can’t complain,” Whyte said.
The former Clan Carthy High School quarter miler, turned hurdler at the Racers track club, continued, “I wanted to win a medal, but it didn’t work out. God provided me with a big PB, so I am grateful for that.”
Whyte was in medal contention entering, but was outpowered in the last 50 meters.
Kerron Clement won the event for USA in a season best 47.73 ahead of Kenyan, Boniface Mucheru Tumuti, 47.78 (NR) and Yasmani Copello of Turkey, 47.92 (NR).
He summed it up, “I couldn’t do anything differently, I gave it my all.”
As for Clement, “It means so much. I was focused and my mind was set. I showed determination and a will to win and this is something I wanted with all my heart.”
