BIRMINGHAM, England — Natoya Goule was left extremely disappointed with the result after Saturday’s agonising fourth-place finish in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games, but believes she is creeping closer and closer to her full potential in the event.

Goule lost out on a podium spot by 100th of a second, crossing the line in 1:57.88 with Scotland’s Laura Muir clocked at 1:57.87 with a late surge that upstaged the fading Jamaican, who failed to match her podium finish from the 2018 Games in Glasgow.

Goule and the Jamaican team lodged a protest to contest the photo-finish interpretation, but the race officials upheld their decision, ending Goule’s medal hopes.

“Trust me, I would have preferred to come last because it hurts more coming fourth by 100th of a second. I’m so disappointed but the season continues so I just have to continue to train and focus on the rest of the season,” Goule stated.

“I really wanted a medal that was even an easy bronze to get; even the second-placed and the gold [was within reach] as well but it didn’t happen today. I am disappointed but I have to move forward.”

Goule’s time was her best for the season, even though the 31-year-old took little comfort in the mark, noting that she was hoping to dip into the 1:56s region here.

“The season best is a positive but I know I’m better than what I ran here as well so I’m really not pleased with the time because I know I can at least run 1:56 right now, so I’m just being patient and the right time will come,” said Goule.

Still, Goule says she will focus on wrapping up her season in a positive fashion and is already looking forward to next season.

“Trust me I’m not going to beat myself up. I’m upset right now but after this, I have to go back to my regular living because the season is not over. So, I was disappointed in Eugene, but I brushed it off to come to the Commonwealth, Games. Now, I’m disappointed again but I’m getting closer and closer to my goal,” said Goule, who says she is targeting a personal best.

“The last goal I need to get is to run my personal record, so I’m hoping that will come soon,” said Goule.

Goule’s personal best of 1:56.15, which was done in 2018 in Monaco, is also the fastest times ever recorded by a Jamaican. She has only gone below 1:57.00 once since then, with a 1:56.44 clocking in Sweden in 2021.