Evans's comeback bid ends in 800 free
Janet Evans finished 53rd out of 65 swimmers in the 800-metre freestyle preliminaries at the US Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, ending the former Olympic champion's comeback at age 40.
Evans completed the 16-lap race in nine minutes, 1.59 seconds, placing her eighth out of 10 swimmers in her heat won by Jamie Bohunicky, a 21-year-old who swam 8:48.42. Evans's time was far off her seed time of 8:46.89.
"I wish I had swam faster, but I think I will be totally grateful," she said. "Grateful for the fact that I was able to do it and my body held up and people supported me. I'll be happy I did it instead of sitting on my couch wondering 'what if.'"
Evans climbed out of the pool for the last time to cheers from the crowd. She smiled and gave a small wave before disappearing below the deck. She also didn't advance out of the 400 free prelims on Tuesday, when she finished 80th among 113 swimmers.
"Yes, this is definitely it," she said. "I just signed my retirement papers. First thing I did."
The queen of distance swimming was a three-time Olympian who won the 800 free at the 1988 and '92 Olympics, and was undefeated in the grueling event for eight years during her stellar career. She retired after the 1996 Games, eventually marrying and having two children.
"I'm just looking forward to sitting in the stands finally," said Evans, who plans to be in London during the games. "I don't have to go warm up."
