Friedrich anxious to book London berth
German high-jumper Ariane Friedrich admits she is concerned about making the grade for the London Olympic Games having again failed to clear the qualifying mark in wet conditions on Saturday.
Having won the bronze medal at the 2009 world championships, the 28-year-old has yet to jump higher than 1.92m this season, but the qualifying mark for London is 1.95m with the athletics competition to start on August 3.
Friedrich missed the whole of 2011 with an Achilles tendon injury she suffered in December 2010 and her best jump of 1.86m at a rain-hit meeting in Bochum-Wattenscheid, west Germany, on Saturday left her close to tears.
"When I was loose, I could still clear 1.90m, which was a good sign," said the 2009 European indoor champion.
"I was determined to achieve the qualifying mark today, so I am frustrated by the gusty wind and rain here, which ruined the competition."
The European Championships in Helsinki, from June 27 until July 1, holds the German's next chance to meet the Olympic qualifying mark.
"I want to go to the European championships with a better feeling, I have the qualifying marks in my legs, I can feel it," she said.
"But the weather must play along."
