Triple jump disaster for Hansen

Hansen - third jump was far too short

Ashia Hansen of Great Britain has failed to reach the final stages of the women's triple jump after a poor showing in her first three leaps.

Hansen, who harboured genuine medal hopes going into the Games, could only manage 13.44m with her third attempt after two fouls.

That was not enough to keep her in the competition and she looked close to tears as she trudged away from the pit.

The third jump was always going to be a nervy affair as she did not have a qualifying mark to her name.

So it proved as Hansen took off way behind the board and she was looking sideways as she entered the sand with one eye on the distance markers on the left.

She knew instantly her Olympic dream was over as she came down well short of 14m.

Tereza Marinova of Bulgaria won the event as big favourite Tatyana Lebedeva saw her hopes washed away.

Marinova leapt 15.20m to win the title, with Lebedeva finishing second after a leap of 15m.

Russian Lebedeva, with 13 wins in 14 competitions, had looked unbeatable all season.

Olena Hovorova of Ukraine picked up the bronze medal with a jump of 14.96m.