Beijing hopeful Tyrone Smith set a new Bermuda national record with a long jump leap of 8.03 metres – but missed out on the Olympic qualifying mark by an agonising two centimetres.

Smith, who competed at last summer's Pan-Am Games in Brazil, finished fourth at the 60th Venizelia track and field meet in Crete, Greece, on Saturday.

Today he continues his qualifying quest at a meet in Cottbus, Germany. Qualification for the Olympic 'A' standard is 8.20 metres and the 'B' standard is 8.05 metres.

Smith has been in fine form in recent months finishing fourth at the Mt. SAC Relays with a jump of 7.84 metres in April, and placing third at the High Performance Sprint and Power Track Meet at Brigham University, Utah, with a leap of 7.90 metres in May.

Bermuda Olympic Association could receive wild cards for two of the Island's top track and field athletes for the Beijing Games, which open on August 8, with Smith high on their list of those who will be considered for the trip to China even if he fails to make the official qualifying standard.