this year's Olympic Games suffer a severe blow when he failed to finish within the qualifying time at the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota on Saturday.

The reigning Marathon Derby champion needed to complete the course in under two hours, 20 minutes to warrant a spot on the Bermuda squad.

And while his exact time was unknown at press-time, it is believed that he finished the 26.2 mile course in approximately 2:28, which would also put him outside Ray Swan's Bermuda record.

However, according to Smith's local based manager, Lee Tucker, the 33-year-old runner may make yet another attempt at attaining the mark. Those options are due to be discussed upon Smith's return home -- he was due in late last night.

If he is to qualify, Smith will need to find an event prior to the July 31 deadline for submitting qualifying requests for consideration to Bermuda Olympic Association.

Tucker added that Smith's failure to make the grade was not the "end of the world'' for the runner, adding that they have a long term goal of gaining entry into the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

"He was gearing himself up with an eye towards the Commonwealth Games in two years' time, which has a slightly easier (qualifying) time,'' said Tucker.

"This is not a one shot deal for the Olympics either, there's still some options out there as far as getting in another race near the end of July.'' Tucker added that it would be up to Smith to determine if he wanted to put his body through the stress of another marathon in such a short space of time.

Meanwhile, the best Grandma's Marathon field on record produced the closest finish in the history of the event as four men crossed the line within 20 seconds of each other.

Kenyan Andrew Musuva (2:13:21) earned the title of champion in his first appearance, with Ethiopia's Tesfaye Bekele (2:13:25) second and Fedor Ryjov (2:13:32) of Russia third.