Devastated Australian sprinter Ebony Lane has issued a sarcastic statement after losing a place on the relay team at the Paris Olympics.
The “heartbroken” athlete, from Echuca in Victoria, took to social media to express her shock at her exclusion from the women’s 4x100m relay ahead of Thursday’s heats.
Lane, 25, claims she was not given a reason as to why she was the unlucky one left out, ending her Olympic campaign before it even began.
National selectors have chosen five sprinters to represent Australia in Paris, but with just four places up for grabs in the relays, one runner was always expected to miss out.
“I feel like I did enough to be on that team with the season I had,” a disappointed Lane wrote.
‘I missed out on a qualifying spot in the 100m at the Olympics, I was third at nationals, second at the Oceania championships, I was part of the team that qualified for the Olympics and won multiple races this year and then I was dropped from the relay without many answers as to why.
‘I’m fit, healthy and ready to go. I’ve worked very hard all year to get to this point.
‘I will continue to love and support the girls on the team through this experience.
Australian Olympic sprinter Ebony Lane (pictured) was dropped from the women’s 4x100m relay team
Lane (pictured) said of his dismissal: “I felt like I had done enough to be on that team with the season I had.”
“I have great people around me and I want to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. Here’s to next year!”
Lane’s omission meant Australia’s team consisted of Ella Connolly, Kristie Edwards, Bree Masters and Torrie Lewis in the closing stages.
The decision came as a surprise to fans as Lane was part of the relay team that broke the Australian record at the Sydney Track Classic in March with a time of 42.95.
That team also included Australia’s fastest woman, Lewis, as well as Masters and Connolly.
Lane’s teammates finished fourth in their heat on Thursday, behind the United States, Germany and Switzerland.
They were 0.11 seconds away from the final.
The Australian men also failed to advance in the 4x100m heats shortly afterwards, but did achieve a new national record.
Australia finished fifth in their series.