Aussie swimmer Sam Short fails to qualify for 1500m in nightmare end to Olympics debut

Sam Short’s nightmare Olympics debut has ended in more disappointment, with the middle-distance swimmer failing to progress to the 1500m final.

Short had arrived in Paris as a genuine gold medal hope after winning the 400m world title last year, as well as finishing second in the 800m and third in the 1500m.

But he leaves Paris without a medal, as well as missing two finals.

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The 20-year-old struggled with a bout of gastro at the Australian trials and then failed to hit top form in Paris off the back of the interrupted preparation.

He missed out on the bronze medal in the 400m by just 0.14s and then missed out on a spot in the 800m final with the ninth-best time when he was the favourite for the gold.

His Olympics campaign ended on Saturday night when he finished a disappointing seventh in his 1500m heat.

“I feel so terrible for Sam Short in the fact he had a gastro bug at trials … Obviously the effects of that illness hampering his preparation. It is also the difference where he hasn’t been able to find that spark here in Paris. Such a shame,” Giaan Rooney said on Nine.

Short made a bright start, but faded as the gruelling race wore on.

He eventually touched in a time of 14:58.15, which was over 20 seconds slower than what he swam at the world championships last year.