By Krista Charke for The Daily News and published Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Nanaimo marathoner Steve Osaduik has missed his earliest deadline to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

A knee injury sidelined Osaduik three weeks ago, which prevented him from racing in the Houston Marathon on Sunday. He was hoping to cross the finish line in 2:13:59. Osaduik hasn’t lost faith that he’ll be able to make the qualifying time, but now has to focus on the ING Ottawa Marathon on May 25, which will be his last chance to make Team Canada.

“It will be my very last chance (to qualify for the Olympics) so I guess I’ll be putting it all on the line there,” said Osaduik from his residence in Langley.

It was decided that Osaduik’s speed workouts leading up to Christmas aggravated an already sore and tight knee.Doctors tell him the injury isn’t serious and should heal with proper treatment and rest.

Osaduik tested his legs out at the Pioneer 8km, the first race in the Vancouver Island Race Series, in Victoria on Sunday. He finished fifth.

“My fitness just isn’t there anymore. I’ve lost too much with the injury,” he said.