Yuma native forced to drop out of Games

U.S. heptathlete Diana Pickler withdrew during the 100-meter hurdles after hurting herself.

As it turns out, she wasn't the only U.S. athlete hurt in that event at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Yuma High graduate Jacquelyn Johnson strained her hamstring during the race on the first day of the heptathlon. She competed in five events, reaching as high as 11th, but withdrew from the last two events early Saturday morning according to manager Ron Martin.

Johnson aggravated the hamstring even worse in the long jump, skipping her last two attempts. Her coaches, including former decathlete Dan O'Brien, decided to not risk aggravating the injury further and risk any shot at a return in 2012, Martin said.

Martin said he felt that Johnson had a chance to crack the top 15 and maybe even the top 12 if she competed in the final two events - the javelin and the 800. Instead, she was one of eight competitors to withdraw, including two of the three Americans.

The third American, Hyleas Fountain, was passed by the Ukraine's Lyudmila Blonska in the final event, the 800, for second place overall. Still, Fountain - who led early on - became only the second American woman to medal in the heptathlon. Jackie Joyner-Kersee was the first.

Fountain finished with 6,619 points, 114 behind the Ukraine's Natalia Dobrynska's 6,733. Kelly Sotherton of Great Britain, one of the favorites along with Fountain heading into the competition, finished with 6,517.

Martin said Johnson would be flying into Phoenix early this morning.