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Melissa Bishop thanks Canadians for support with inspiring post-Olympics message

"I know I did everything I could have in that race and the last four years to put myself in the best position."

Melissa Bishop

'Everything happens for a reason… you will get through this'. In December I wrote this, having come off a year of injuries and still having found success. Now, as Rio closes and I find myself just shy of medal position, I have to believe in these words. I know I did everything I could've in that race & the last 4 years to put myself in the best position. I came away with a new record & my fastest time ever, something to be very proud of. I've had an amazing outpouring of support from family,friends, and fans. I thank you for every kind word, share of emotion, tear shed, smile made, or maybe just a little more proud to be Canadian. I'm so thankful to have a support team like I do and will always be thankful to be able to represent my country in any way I can. Thankyou Canada! We're just getting started! ?? PC: @cbcolympics

A photo posted by Melissa Bishop (@melissacorinneb) on

Four days after missing the podium by one spot at the Rio Olympics in the women’s 800m, Canadian Melissa Bishop posted to social media for the first time addressing her race. The 28-year-old finished fourth in the 800m final in a new Canadian record, lowering her own mark to 1:57.02.

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After the race, she expressed disappointment in an interview with CBC noting that she trained years for the Olympics. Kenya’s Margaret Wambui beat her for third by 0.13 seconds. On Aug. 24, Bishop posted a post-Olympics message thanking Canadians for their support.

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“‘Everything happens for a reason, you will get through this,'” Bishop writes as she holds up a paper with those inspiration words. “In December I wrote this, having come off a year of injuries and still having found success. Now, as Rio closes and I find myself just shy of medal position, I have to believe in these words. I know I did everything I could’ve in that race and the last four years to put myself in the best position. I came away with a new record and my fastest time ever, something to be very proud of. I’ve had an amazing outpouring of support from family, friends and fans. I thank you for every kind word, share of emotion, tear shed, smile made, or maybe just a little more proud to be Canadian. I’m so thankful to have a support team like I do and will always be thankful to be able to represent my country in any way I can. Thank you Canada! We’re just getting started!”

Bishop is the fastest-ever Canadian in the women’s 800m and won silver at the 2015 world championships. She was a medal contender heading into the race but missed out on reaching the podium in the highly competitive two-lap event.

The women’s 800m at the Rio Olympics

Locals in Eganville, Ont., her hometown, are hosting a parade for Bishop on Sept. 10 to commemorate her historic run at the Olympics. She trains in Windsor, Ont. under coach Dennis Fairall, whom she dedicated her Olympic race to as he’s battling progressive supranuclear palsy.

Bishop was in Lausanne, Switzerland for a Diamond League event, a high-profile competition, on Thursday, five days after running in Rio. The Canadian finished fourth in 1:58.71. The 2:00-barrier is considered world-class in the women’s 800m.

It's race day! Catch the #Lausanne Diamond League live online at CBC sports. Coverage starts at 2pm EST #yabish ?:@haasruns

A photo posted by Melissa Bishop (@melissacorinneb) on

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