This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater, a 47-year-old American and 11-time world champion, has missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the sport will make its Games debut.
Slater, who has inspired a generation of surfing stars with his incredible skills, was edged for a spot on the US squad by John John Florence at an event in Hawaii on Thursday.
Competing as an Olympian would have been an epic farewell for Slater's 40-year career, which began at age eight in a youth event. However, he will now be watching the event from the sidelines.
"I'm going to enjoy it as a spectator," Slater told the New York Times, dismissing any notion he would end his career early after missing out on the Olympics.
"Be sure that in 2020, they will continue to see me at the top of a wave," he added.
Slater needed a victory at the Pipeline Masters on Oahu's North Shore to secure the title but lost in the semi-finals, leaving him ranked eighth in the world but one spot behind 2016 and 2017 world champion Florence, who took the second US men's team spot behind already qualified Kolohe Andino.
