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My body didn’t cooperate - Forbes

Published:Sunday | August 14, 2016 | 12:00 AM

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:

He became only the second Jamaican since 2004 to compete in the Olympic men's long jump final, but things didn't go to plan for Damar Forbes, who finished 12 with a best mark of 7.82m.

Forbes, who was competing at his second Olympics - after featuring at the London 2012 Games - says his body simply did not respond the way he needed it to.

"If someone told me that I would come to the Olympics and jump 7.8m consecutively, I would never believe it because this does not reflect the shape I am in. It's very disheartening. I'm really disappointed," said Forbes. after his jump.

"On the first jump, I didn't elevate enough and the last two felt perfect. I ran through; I just didn't have the power. I just didn't feel the strength I was suppose to feel. I executed the way I wanted to. I came off the board the way I wanted to, but my body wasn't cooperating with me at the time, so I don't know. It's very disheartening knowing the shape you come in with and then end up jumping light," Forbes added.

The Jamaican came into the Games with three consecutive eight-metre jumps, which included wins at the National Senior Championships and the Monaco Diamond League.

"There really aren't many positives I can take from this. I made it to the finals, but what is a final without a medal. I can only take it as a learning experience," Forbes said.

"I have been feeling good, training well, my body felt well, so when I came off the board, I just didn't feel the power. I can only chalk it up as a learning experience.

"This season had some positives. I found out a lot of things and tried to put it together here, but I just couldn't get my body to respond the way I wanted it to respond, and if I want to progress in this sport, I have to find a way to make it work," he noted.