OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Mixed feelings for Gladding after she misses final

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

GREAT Britain diver Monique Gladding was left with mixed feelings after she fell agonisingly short of qualification in the London 2012 women's 10 metres platform preliminary round.

Gladding, who famously almost died when she was knocked unconscious as she dived into the pool during a competition in Moscow last year, finished in 19th place - just one outside automatic qualification.

But the 31-year-old admitted that she was proud of her own determination, especially as she entered the competition with a serious injury..

MIXED FEELINGS: Monique Gladding was proud of competing through pain, but gutted to miss out on qualification

"I've had such a tough week - it was touch and go whether I would dive anyway," said the South Africa-born Gladding. 

"Five or six days ago my neck really flared up quite badly and they found I had a prolapsed disc.

"It's horrible when you're that close, but it wasn't meant to be I guess. This past year has been a mountain to achieve and even though I'm gutted I've got to hold my head high.

"There were four really good dives and then a slight error and that was it, I was out.

"If I look back on my career, honestly you couldn't write this stuff. It's a testament to my character and I've got fight in me. I've stayed till the end."

Teammate Stacie Powell finished one place below Gladding, meaning that she too missed out on qualification.

The 26-year-old's competition was effectively over in her second dive when she scored only 29.70, which Powell left very disappointed with herself.

She said: "Unfortunately I can't undo that early kick on that dive.

"I was really pumped - I knew I was diving well. As I was spinning around I knew I was spinning faster than in training and that's why I kicked out early.

"I know I have the confidence to do that dive, which is why I'm so annoyed with myself."

©  Sportsbeat 2012