Former Latics player out of medal frame
There was no fairytale finish to his Olympic Games career for ex-Latics' centre of excellence player James Goddard.
The 29-year-old, in his last-ever Olympic swim, finished a disappointing seventh tonight in the final of the 200 metres individual medley.
Goddard, who had also reached Olympic swimming finals in Athens and Beijing finishing fourth and sixth respectively, has hoped to round off his career in a blaze of glory.
He went into the final with the seventh fastest qualifying time.
Goddard admitted after his semi-final he was not at his best and felt there was more to come, but it was proving elusive.
He conceded he would have to do something special to force his way into the medal frame.
It was not to be as Michael Phelps won his 16th gold and 20th overall Olympic medal as he pushed his US team-mate and arch rival Ryan Lochte into second spot.
Goddard was at Boundary Park as a youngster when Joe Royle was manager. He returned last season to watch the npower League One match against Preston North End.
The 29-year-old, in his last-ever Olympic swim, finished a disappointing seventh tonight in the final of the 200 metres individual medley.
Goddard, who had also reached Olympic swimming finals in Athens and Beijing finishing fourth and sixth respectively, has hoped to round off his career in a blaze of glory.
He went into the final with the seventh fastest qualifying time.
Goddard admitted after his semi-final he was not at his best and felt there was more to come, but it was proving elusive.
He conceded he would have to do something special to force his way into the medal frame.
It was not to be as Michael Phelps won his 16th gold and 20th overall Olympic medal as he pushed his US team-mate and arch rival Ryan Lochte into second spot.
Goddard was at Boundary Park as a youngster when Joe Royle was manager. He returned last season to watch the npower League One match against Preston North End.