Steeplechaser Genevieve LaCaze has made a last-ditch bid for a berth on the Australian track and field team for the London Olympics.
LaCaze, 22, who has spent the past few years studying at the University of Florida, clocked nine minutes 41.15 seconds at a meet in Indianapolis on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
The personal best time by LaCaze was almost two seconds under the A qualifying standard set by Athletics Australia.
AA named a 54-strong team to contest the London Games on Wednesday.
But as the nominated squad does not have to be officially submitted to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) until June 22, there is scope to include LaCaze.
"We'd definitely look favourably on any request we received from AA," said AOC spokesman Mike Tancred.
Middle-distance runner Jeff Riseley was added to the Australian team for the 2008 Beijing Games in similar circumstances after intervention by the AOC.
Alternatively, LaCaze could lodge an appeal against non-selection to AA by Friday.
As it stands, Australia have no entrants in the women's steeplechase for the London Games.
LaCaze finished second behind Victoria Mitchell at the Olympic trials at Melbourne's Lakeside Stadium in March, but both were outside the qualifying standard of 9:43.
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