JESS Draskau-Petersson has been nominated for a place in the Denmark national team for the Olympic Marathon this summer after producing an amazing run in London on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, based in the UK with dual Manx and Danish nationality, finished a mere 26 seconds outside Denmark’s 2:34.30 Olympic qualifying time in the Virgin-sponsored event.
But, following a meeting of the Danish Athletics Federation on Monday, it was agreed that Jess was within the target time requirements.
Another woman, Dorte Vibjerg, had been the favourite to take the Olympic ticket, but she missed Sunday’s race as she was attending a funeral. She is now to be offered a second chance.
Jakob Larsen, sports chief of the Danish federation, commented: ‘A relative unknown to the Danish sports world, Jess Draskau-Petersson, will represent Denmark in the marathon at this summer’s Olympics in London.
‘We feel that because she had to cancel, Dorte Vibjerg, has not really had a chance to show what she can do so we have therefore decided that she can have another competition to show the form that justifies an exception. Thus, Denmark may end up getting two female marathon runners to London.’
l 50 Manxies tackle London Marathon - full report on page 39.