La Jolla High Grad Does Not Advance in Olympic Kayak Sprint Races

Three-time Olympian Carrie Johnson will not advance in the women’s kayak single 200m race at the 2012 Olympics. The and grad needed to finish in the top six to advance in the semifinals, which were held in London on Friday. She placed eighth in her heat with a time of 43.321.

Johnson finished her run +2.793 seconds behind the first place finisher - Lisa Carrington of New Zealand.

In a statement, US Canoe/Kayak CEO Joe Jacobi said, "When people ask me what I enjoy most about my work at USA Canoe/Kayak, I say supporting an athlete like Carrie Johnson. She upholds the spirit of the Olympic Games on and off the water and honors the sport with integrity. I have great respect for the challenges that Carrie overcomes every day to represent her country and sport at the highest level."

Johnson, 28, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003, while rehabilitating a elbow injury, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee. The illness left her unable to train in the 2003 and 2009 seasons, the USOC reported. 

Johnson was accepted into UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine and will begin her studies on Monday.

Her U.S. Olympic Committee profile states that she was introduced to kayaking through the San Diego Junior Lifeguards program.

The 2012 Olympic games will be Johnson’s last.

Win Tickets to the La Jolla Playhouse by answer this trivia question about Johnson: