Coming up against one of the strongest 800 metres fields assembled this year, Guyana's middle-distance queen Marian Burnette's preparation for the Athens Olympics received a searching test last Saturday at the Prefontaine meet in Eugene, Oregon.
In the end, her inexperience was exposed amidst the likes of perennial great Maria Mutola and in-form American Nicole Teter, as the Guyanese national record-holder settled for fifth place in a blistering run dominated by Mutola.
The long-standing world number-one Mutola, who also holds the Olympic and World titles, led the field from start to finish to win in the world's second fastest time this year of one minute, 57.78 seconds.
Burnette, who had to battle opponents now more aware of her growing reputation, finished in a time of 2:01.12 after failing to get out of the `box' she found herself in halfway through the race, although the race officials and television commentators got it wrong by announcing her finishing third in 1:59.32.
Third place actually went to American Hazel Clarke who used Burnette's lane (Six) which apparently led to the officials mistakingClarkefor the Guyanese.
According to Burnette, when she went out on the track, Clarke was standing in her lane and refused to go to her assigned lane which was lane nine.
"The announcer even called out the names for each lane and my name was announced for lane six but she wouldn't move. So I ended in her lane (nine)," Burnette lamented.
"It was a learning experience as I am still trying to prevent myself not getting boxed in and on this occasion it was more difficult with all of the big names in the race," Burnette told Stabroek Sports.
The former Louisiana State University (LSU) champion got off to a blazing start and completed the first lap in 56 seconds by far the fastest 400 she ever did in any 800m. But after settling herself on the inside lap ahead of the pack, Burnette found herself locked in there and was unable to get out after the event slowed in the second half.
"I normally start sprinting back at 150 metres but could not get out because they would not let me and in the tussle I got a elbow from Teter which slowed me up," the Linden-born runner explained. "I am not despondent though, because it is all in the race and I learning to deal with it," she added.
With fewer hurdles Burnette recorded a personal best 1:59.47 and bettered the Athens Olympics `A' qualifying mark of 2:00.00 in finishing second to Teter (1.58.83) at the U.S. Open two weeks ago in California.
The Guyana champion and PanAm Games silver medallist will now head to Europe today for a series of meets to continue her preparation for the Olympics in August.
Teter was second to Mutola on Saturday in 1:59.09 with Clarke third and Canada's Diane Cummings fourth in 1:59.99.