LOCAL lads Nigel Donohue and Paul Ratcliffe missed out on Olympic glory.

In the hot cauldron of Atlanta both found it tough going against the world's best.

But judo ace Nigel, who hails from Leigh, did come within a whisker of picking up a prize medal.

In the bantamweight repechage he fought his way to within 16 seconds of a bronze.

Nigel was, however, Britain's 13th fighter in a 13-strong squad under top coach Neil Adams. Twelve failed before him - and, sadly, Nigel also missed out.

Tyldesley canoeist Paul, the youngest member of his squad, finished 14th in the white water rapids on Sunday afternoon.

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