7/5/08

EUGENE -- Twelve men advanced to the final of the javelin throw Friday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

But it was two colorful characters who failed to qualify that drew the most attention at Hayward Field: Breaux Greer, a U.S. champion in the event eight years running, and Roald Bradstock, who at 46 was the oldest man competing at the trials.

Sporting a mohawkish mop of hair dyed equal parts magenta, black and blond, Greer, 31, fouled on his first two throws, then left the field with a mark of 220 feet, 6 inches on his third and final effort. He finished 10th in his flight of 12, and 17th overall.