Paula Findlay apologizes to Canada for triathlon performance
Finishes 52nd as Switzerland's Nicola Spirig wins gold in photo finish
The Olympic women's triathlon race was an ugly one for Canada's Paula Findlay and Kathy Tremblay on Saturday.
Findlay, from Edmonton, finished last in 52nd after being hampered by a poor swim and a lingering hip injury.
'Sadder than I've ever been. Thanks for the love. Life goes on.' — Tweet by Canada's Paula Findlay (@PaulaFindlay)
"I had nothing in my legs. I don't know what happened. I wanted to pull out after that first lap on the run, but I know I have so many friends that have stayed up all night to watch me race," Findlay said.
"This is not what I expected but the Olympics are a crazy thing. I'm so sorry to everyone in Canada. I just knew finishing was better than pulling out."
Findlay was sobbing as she crossed the finish line in the running portion. She finished twelve minutes, 21 seconds behind winner Nicola Spirig of Switzerland (1:59:48).
"I have had such a great team around me I just wish I could have made them more proud today. I know people expected a lot from me and I'm so sorry it didn't happen today."
Tremblay, from Pincourt, Que., crashed during the cycling race and did not finish.
Nicola Spirig won the gold medal in a photo finish.
Spirig held off Lisa Norden of Sweden to claim gold in one hour 59.48 seconds. The runners were given the same time, but Spirig was declared the winner on a photo finish.
Erin Densham of Australia took bronze on the course through Hyde Park in central London.
Spirig pulled away in the last 50 metres but only held off a fast-finishing Norden for the gold.
All three medallists fell to the ground after crossing the line, exhausted by the late sprint for podium positions.