KATHAMNDU, Aug 17: Athlete Hari Kumar Rimal failed to live up to expectations in the Rio Olympics as he completed men's 5000m heats far behind than the national record in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
The 29-year old athlete of Tribhuvan Army Club finished the distance in 14 minutes 54.42 seconds and eventually crashed out from the heat round.
Before leaving for Rio, Hari had set his sight on breaking 12-year old national record held by colleague Rajendra Bhandari who had set the national record during 2004 Athens Olympics clocking 14 minutes 04.89 seconds. Hari finished the heat round in 23 position among 25 athletes.
Hari even failed to meet his own mark he set in the 12th South Asian Games held in February earlier this year. He had completed the same distance in 14 minutes and 32 seconds for a bronze medal.
In the overall heats comprising 51 runners, the wildcard entrant from Nepal finished in 46th position. Paul Kipkemoi of USA secured top finish in the overall heat clocking 13 minutes 19.54 seconds, Muktar Edris of Ethopia stood second with 13 minutes 19.65 seconds and Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethopia secured third position.
Top five finishers of both heats (heat one and two) and next five fastest runners will qualify for the finals.
Earlier, the other runner from Nepal Saraswati Bhattarai had competed in women's 1500m and clocked 4 minutes 33.94 seconds to break 26-year-old national record.
Gaurika crashes out, fails to meet national record
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