OKLAHOMA CITY, March 28 (UPI) -- Three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Fernandez failed to qualify for the U.S. softball team selected Friday for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Fernandez, 37, was made a replacement for the 15-player roster, which will attempt to capture the gold medal for a fourth consecutive Games time when competition begins Aug. 12.
The final roster must be submitted to the U.S. Olympic Committee for final approval by July 1.
"I am very excited about this team and its ability to continue the excellence that USA Softball has come to expect at the Olympic Games," said Coach Mike Candrea on the team's Web site from Oklahoma City without mentioning Fernandez. "We look forward to our preparation and the challenges that the Olympic Games in Beijing will bring with great excitement and anticipation!"
Fernandez pitched for Team USA when it won the gold medal in Atlanta in 1996; Sydney in 2000; and Athens, Greece in 2004.
