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London - South African triathlete Kate Roberts was left disappointed after a crash dropped her from contention for a place among the top 10 women at the Olympic Games on Saturday.
Roberts, who finished 22nd, was just over a minute behind leader Lucy Hall of Great Britain at the start of the bike leg, but moments later Australian Emma Moffat, who did not finish, tumbled directly in front of her.
"I couldn't avoid it. I knew then my race was over," Roberts said.
"You can't make that up. I was in the right place, but at the wrong time.
"I was looking at a top 10 if I stayed in the pack; it probably would have happened.
"My training partners got second and fourth, but I guess I'll come back.
"I'll live to fight another day and life goes on."
The 29-year-old fought back and joined the chasing group, crossing the line in two hours, two minutes, 46 seconds (2:02:46) - 10 places higher than her debut Olympic performance at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Mere metres separated countrywoman Gillian Sanders from getting tangled in the same crash that led to Roberts' downfall.
Swerving to avert the trouble, the 30-year-old full-time triathlete, who is based in London, lost little time in carving her way back into contention.
That effort, however, cost her dearly in the run and she dropped from 13th position to 19th over the 10km leg to finish the race in 2:02:28 --the best ever finish from a South African triathlete in the women's race at the Games.
"I'd hoped for better, but it's my first Olympics and that's the best any (South African) woman has done at the Olympics," Sanders said.
"Every single South African in London must have been there (along the course). Flags were everywhere.
"The atmosphere was fantastic and we got support the whole way round."
