DESPITE being spurred on by Usain Bolt’s victory, long jumper Damar Forbes could not capitalise on the euphoria and failed to advance to the final, finishing 13th with a leap of 7.62m. “I wanted to come out here and do it because of that,” said Forbes, who said he is hoarse from cheering on Bolt.

“It’s such a pride for the country and myself that I wanted to just go out there and compete,” Forbes added. “My wish was 100 per cent”. But an injury picked up at the Pan American Games in July that he is still recovering from put paid to his chances.

“My performance today wasn’t satisfactory, but taking in where I am coming from in the last couple of months, I was barely able to walk coming from the Pan Am with a fractured fifth metatarsal,” he revealed.

“I was trying to build up coming to Beijing, trying to perform to the best of my ability and obviously I am not 100 per cent.

I am more at 80 or 75 per cent but I couldn’t pass the opportunity to compete for my country,” he added. “I am a competitor at the end of the day. I didn’t have any swing in my legs because I was focusing on just my rehabilitation. But I was just glad I was able to compete without any pain and I will be focusing on the Olympics next year,” he noted.

The former Louisiana State University standout, who won the NCAA outdoor title in 2013, could not hide his disappointment. “Of course I am. Running on the runway I felt good, I took off, but just didn’t have the pop that I wanted,” he said.

“I am not there yet, but this year is a positive look for me because I went over eight metres four times,” said Forbes. “I was not supposed to come here because I was supposed to shut my season down after the injury, but I had to come here,” Forbes said with passion.