LONDON — A firefighter helped give the United States its best Olympic finish in the men’s cycling sprint in 12 years Sunday.
Firefighter Jimmy Watkins, of the Bakersfield, Calif.. Fire Department, is only able to get to a velodrome once a week to train, but had easily progressed through the Olympic sprint competition until he went up against Australian Shane Perkins.
With this defeat, Firefighter Watkins finished in sixth.
Perkins is a regular podium finisher in the sprint and keirin events and is a full-time cycler, according to the Agence France-Presse.
“I did my best. I didn’t do anything wrong, he just outclassed me,” Firefighter Watkins told AFP.
“Sixth is great. It’s more than I expected. I’m super happy,” he said.
The Associated Press reported that Firefighter Watkins lives 124 miles away from the closest velodrome and keeps a bike at his firehouse so he can train.
“When I’m at work, I’m trying to train, but a lot of times we are obviously interrupted because we have to go on a call,” he said.
“You come back after your call, you finish up your training or you’re just too tired.”
He holds four national titles and three national records on the track, according to The Associated Press.
He represented his country in various international competitions but never imagined he would advance so deep in an Olympic tournament.