Antigua & Barbuda’s participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics came to an end on Thursday after both the men’s 4 x 1 relay team and high-jumper Priscilla Frederick exited the Games after failing to qualify for the semifinal round in their respective fields.

The country’s 4 x 100 meters relay team failed to progress after placing sixth in heat 1 with a time of 38.44 seconds.

Antigua & Barbuda finished just ahead of St Kitts and Nevis in 39.81 seconds. Heat 1was won by the US in 37.65 seconds followed by China and Canada.

Tahir Walsh, Chevaughn Walsh, Cejhae Greene and Jared Jarvis ran the 4 x 100-meter heat for Antigua & Barbuda after Daniel “Bakka” Bailey and Miguel Francis were both ruled out with injuries.

Japan emerged winners of heat number 2 with Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago finishing second and third respectively.

Meantime, Frederick jumped a season’s best 1.89 meters to finish 28th in the women’s high jump.

Speaking to media following her exploits, Frederick said the experience was a valuable one.

“It was good, you have to be excited because it’s the Olympics and you compete and my thing is stay fierce and fabulous and I think I did that so maybe next time. Now that I have seen and I have competed against every top high-jumper in the world now, it’s just all about staying positive, staying focused and it’s always a learning lesson whenever you come to big meets like this,” she said.

The athlete, whose purple hair caused quite a stir during the event, said her goal is to improve going into future meets.

“Now there is nothing to fear, there’s nothing holding me back and for the following upcoming season. I am going to take this, move forward and qualify,” Frederick said.

A contingent of nine athletes represented Antigua & Barbuda at the Olympic Games.

They are sprinters Daniel Bailey, Cejhae Greene, Chevaughn Walsh, Tahir Walsh, Jared Jarvis and Miguel Francis, swimmers Noah Mascoll-Gomes, Samantha Roberts and high-jumper Frederick.

The Games are slated to end on August 21.