him one last chance to make the grade for next month's Sydney Games.

James, a 100 metre hope, was one of three athletes given until last weekend to achieve the Games' qualifying times at the Canada Dry Canadian National Trials in Victoria, British Colombia.

Although he hit the 10.40 second qualifying mark for smaller Olympic nations on the button, his run did not count towards the Games because it was wind-assisted.

James said when he crossed the line he believed he had done enough to book his ticket for next month's event and was "gutted'' when he was told his run had registered 3.0 on the wind scale.

Deeply disappointed, he is now asking for special dispensation from the BOA to run in a meet in El Paso, Texas on August 20.

James believes he did well to just make the event, having overcome a muscle injury and stomach bug in the run-up to the race.

Speaking before setting off for his training base in Miami, James said: "I ran the time but the wind was just a notch over the allowable.

"It would be nice if the BOA would give me another opportunity, one more chance, as the wind is something beyond my control.'' He went on: "I had a rough two weeks in the run-up to the race. I hurt my quads in the Bahamas and could not train and then I had a 48-hour stomach virus and could not eat anything.

"But I still managed to come out here and show I'm in good shape and run the time.'' James reckoned his mental strength had helped him overcome the recent adversity and believed he deserved another chance.

"If the BOA give me another opportunity then I will go out there and do it again.

"I understand their position but I would appreciate another opportunity and if they give me the chance I am confident I can run the time,'' he said.

James also competed in the 200 metres in Victoria but his time of 21.59 seconds was not good enough to make the Olympic grade.

The BOA also granted long jumper Devon Bean and 1500m runner Terrance Armstrong the chance to hit the qualifying times in their respective events.

Bean disappointed. Needing to set a mark of 7.95m he could only reach 6.88.

Armstrong, it would appear, did not make the trip to Canada.

Also competing in Victoria over the weekend were brothers Kyle and Jason Robinson. The Canadians were born to a Bermudian father and Canadian mother.

Kyle finished third in the 110 metre high hurdles while Jason came 13th in the heats of the long jump.