21 August 2004	Saturday	04 Rajab 1425

ATHENS, Aug 20: Pakistan's young Rubab Raza finished fifth in the 50m freestyle and failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics on Friday.

Thirteen-year and six month old Rubab, returned a timings of 30.10 seconds, and wrote her name in Pakistan's sports history by becoming the youngest-ever swimmer and a sportswoman to represent the country at the Olympics.

It was encouraging performance by Rubab who was in lane three of the pool. It was not expected from the young swimmer to perform up to that level by taking the fifth place in the heats and mostly feared that she would be finishing last.

Mozambique's Ermelinda Zamab took the first place with timings of 29.34 seconds and ahead of Rubab was Diana Etiennette of Mauritius. Who finished at the rock bottom in the 8-member competition was Maldives Aminath Rouya.

"For me it is a big satisfaction to finish fifth and I feel really delighted by taking part in the Olympics and becoming an Olympian," she said. -APP