 Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - GB women miss out on archery bronze Great Britain's women archers had to settle for fourth place in the team event after losing out to France in the bronze medal play-off. The team of Alison Williamson, Naomi Folkard and Charlotte Burgess narrowly lost 203-201 to the French trio. France claimed eight points on the final arrow for a two-point win. The competition was delayed because of thunderstorms, but the interruption did not seem to hinder France as they claimed their first medal in the event.  | 606: DEBATE |
Britain's women came to Beijing ranked second in the world, behind eventual gold medallists Korea, but qualified for the last four with the lowest score of the semi-finalists. Team GB were comfortably beaten 208-202 in the semi-finals by China, who went on to win silver, and again failed to impose themselves in the play-offs. Wolverhampton-born Williamson, who was appearing in her fifth Olympics, broke down in tears after the defeat to France, claiming she had let her team-mates down. "I am really disappointed," said Williamson, who won individual bronze in Athens four years ago. "I feel, basically, that I let the other two down, that I should have pulled my weight more and I didn't.  Alison Williamson won individual bronze in Athens four years ago |
"It's really frustrating and disappointing when you are that close to a medal you are almost touching it. Four years is a long time to wait to try again." Britain's women had expected to tackle conditions of heat and humidity in Beijing, but instead found themselves struggling to keep warm during the 15-minute delay in play. Burgess, 21, who is competing in her first Games, said: "The weather didn't help. When we had the break we got cold, although we have to accept the French had the same conditions to deal with. "We put in so much hard work together over the last two or three years and it just didn't go to plan. "It's my first Olympics, and everything has been an amazing experience, and now we have to turn our attention to the individual event." A tearful Folkard, who, along with Williamson and Burgess, will be competing in the individual event which starts on Tuesday, said: "It's very hard to deal with, we are really gutted. "We came into this as second in the world and had done well at other international events this year and last year, so that makes it even worse. "I now just have to go into the individual events with a calm, cool head and try my hardest."
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