BEIJING — Billy Nelson probably will feel better about his first Olympic experience in a few days than he did as it unfolded today.
The recent University of Colorado grad finished 10th in his qualifying heat of the 3,000-meter steeplechase and failed to advance to Monday’s final.
“It was tough,” Nelson said. “I’m happy to be here, it was exciting for me, it’s definitely the most people I’ve ever raced in front of, and I gave them a pretty bad showing. My first impression is that I kind of bombed it, but I’ll let it sink in a couple days and I’ll realize I was here. Making it here is the main point.”
Nelson completed his CU career in the spring, finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships. He turned pro at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., where he will relocate to train with the Oregon Track Club. His time today was 8 minutes, 36.66 seconds, 15 seconds off the personal best he ran at the trials.
“I wanted to make finals,” Nelson said. “Ultimately I wanted to go under 8:20, just because it’s a barrier I’ve come close twice now. If I had gone under 8:20 and not made the final I would have been a little bit more happy.”
But for a man embarking on his professional career, it gave him valuable exposure to track at its highest level.
“I keep telling myself that four years from now was the Olympics I was going for,” Nelson said. “In four years I’ll be older, I’ll be stronger and I’ll be tougher. That’s what I’m going to have to look forward to.”
Tennessee grad Anthony Famiglietti, 29, was the lone American to qualify for the finals, running 8:17.34, third-fastest on the day.
Colorado State grad Casey Malone, an assistant coach at CU, competes in discus qualifying beginning at 8:40 p.m. MDT.
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
