Williams, Plata Earn Final Spots on Team

BELLINGHAM, Wash. —  Susan Williams and Victor Plata claimed the final women’s and men’s spots on the U.S. Olympic triathlon team Sunday.

American Hunter Kemper and Britain’s Liz Blatchford won their races in an international triathlon at Bloedel Donovan Park, but Williams and Plata were the biggest winners.

Williams finished third in the women’s elite race, less than a minute behind Blatchford’s time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, 46 seconds.

“I don’t think it’s set in yet,” Williams said after securing a berth in the Athens Games. “I don’t know when it will.”

Plata was seventh in the men’s elite race, beating out three other Americans who were also vying for the last berth.

Kemper, who secured his spot on the U.S. team earlier this year, won in 1:55.16. Andy Potts, also a member of the U.S. team, was second in 1:56.15.

American Barb Lindquist, the top-ranked female triathlete, was second in the women’s race with a time of 2:07.01. Lindquist and Sheila Taormina had already secured spots on the Olympic team.