Robbins misses boat to Beijing Olympics

BEIJING, April 23 -- Australian oarswoman Sally Robbins is not coming to the Beijing Games.

Robbins, dubbed "Lay Down Sally" after she stopped rowing toward the end of the eights final at the 2004 Athens Games, had been for trials in the double scull in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics.

"Obviously I'm disappointed that I won't have the chance to represent my country in the double scull and have the opportunity to qualify and compete at my third Olympic Games in Beijing," Robbins said in a statement.

"The past four years have been tough but I'm proud of myself and all that I've achieved. It was a close battle throughout the selection process and I wish all the girls the best for the coming months and their Olympic campaign."

Rowing Australia's performance director Noel Donaldson said Robbins simply was not fast enough to qualify.

"She knew what she was in for at the recent trials and she got rowed out by other girls," Donaldson said. "The girls actually who are rowing in the boat she was trailing for - Catriona Sens and Sonia Mills medaled at the World Cup a couple of years ago as well, so she was against some pretty good opposition."

Sens was in the same eights boat as Robbins four years ago and infamously slapped her at a function after the Games, though the pair appeared to have reconciled during the trials when they raced together.