Magakwe fails in Olympic bid

Johannesburg - South African sprinting sensation Simon Magakwe won gold in the men's 100m final on the second day of the African Athletics Championships in Cotonou, Benin, on Thursday.

Magakwe, however, failed in his attempt to qualify for the London Olympic Games as he posted a time of 10.29 seconds falling short of the qualifying standard of 10.18sec.

The 26-year-old has dipped below the qualifying mark in the 100m six times in domestic meetings this season and also equalled Johan Rossouw's national record of 10.06sec.

Magakwe has been racing extensively this season and could not replicate these performances on the European circuit in recent months.

The African Championships offered Magakwe his last chance to qualify with his dreams of reaching the Games in the 100m now lying in tatters.

Results from Thursday's finals at the African Athletics Championships in Porto Novo, Benin:

Women

100m

1. Ruddy Zang Milama (GAB) 11.16
2. Blessing Okagbare (NGR) 11.18
3. Gloria Asumnu (NGR) 11.28

100m hurdles

1. Gnima Faye (SEN) 13.36
2. Amina Ferguen (ALG) 13.56
3. Uhunoma Osazuwa (NGR) 13.61

Men

100m

1. Simon Magakwe (RSA) 10.29
2. Amr Saoud (EGY) 10.34
3. Hua Wilfried Serge Koffi (CIV) 10.37

Longjump

1. Ndiss Kaba Badji (SEN) 8.04m
2. Zarck Visser (RSA) 7.98
3. Ignisious Gaisah (GHA) 7.73