'Put my whole soul into this': Kristina Clonan's debut Olympics ends in sprint 1/8 finals

Kristina Clonan's debut Olympic Games campaign has come to an end following her elimination from the sprint in the 1/8 finals repechage.

Clonan, who had already survived a repechage in the 1/16 finals, finished third in her second repechage behind winner and defending Olympic sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell (CAN) and Mina Sato (JPN).

The Queensland sprinter started her night facing a mammoth challenge against sprint world champion Emma Finucane (GBR), one of the big favourites for gold, in her 1/8 final at Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

Finucane proved to be too strong for the 26-year-old, winning comfortably by 0.658 seconds.

Despite her elimination, Clonan ends Paris 2024 rightfully proud of her efforts and as the new national record holder for the flying 200-metres.

"I’ve been training real hard and put my whole soul into this Olympic debut and I really came here not to just participate, so it was fast and I was happy with the time (in qualifying) but the fact of the matter is the whole world is fast," Clonan said.

"We’re on a world stage here and everyone brings their best at the Olympics and I guess that’s where it put me.

"There’s a lot to be proud of, but there’s also a lot that I was so hungry for. You have to have a goldfish mentality and keep coming back, and man I love this sport and that’s why I just keep coming back."

Clonan's sprint teammates Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer sailed through the first round of the keirin, winning both of their respective heats.

The pair will target progression to the medal final today via the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Feature picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images