Adelaide: Three-time Olympic champion Libby Trickett has failed in her bid to qualify for next month's world swimming championships.
Trickett, who had not competed since August 2009 after retiring, was seeking the remaining berth on Australia's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team for the July 16-31 titles in Shanghai, China. Trickett, needing to win a swim-off in a time under 54.99 seconds Wednesday, came sixth in 55.68 at the South Australian Aquatic Centre.
Trickett, who won a relay gold at Athens in 2004 and individual and relay golds at Beijing in 2008, was not eligible for the Australian trials due to a requirement for her to undergo drug-testing before competing. She still hopes to compete at next year's London Olympics.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 16:50