Godina gives discus a good shot, but ...

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EUGENE, Ore. -- John Godina, three times an Olympian and twice a medalist in the shotput, switched to discus because he thought it would take less of a toll on his oft-injured shoulders, knees and every other body part.

His reasoning was sound -- he had been a national discus champion a decade ago -- but the results Sunday weren’t what he had envisioned. Godina, a 1995 UCLA graduate, didn’t advance to the final eight in the men’s discus and finished 12th overall.

‘I’ve never had these feelings before. This is weird,’ he said. ‘Last year I didn’t expect much because I was so injured. That was the first team I didn’t make ever.

‘This one kind of shocked me. I thought I was pretty well ready. That being said, I never really got the chance to train for discus. I started throwing it in early March. And after a five-year layoff that’s an OK start if you’re coming back.’

He left with a bow to the crowd and raised his hands to applaud for the fans. The affection was mutual.

--Helene Elliott