Anju Bobby George broke a billion hearts on Tuesday when she failed to qualify for the final of the women's long jump at the Beijing Olympics after three consecutive foul jumps.

It was a big disappointment not only for Indian fans but also the athlete herself, as she failed to register even a single clean jump, stepping over the board in all three chances.

It required an out of the skin showing to make it to the final as the qualifying cut out was as high as 6.75 metres or the 12 best jumps.

Since attaining her best of 6.83 metres at the Athens Games, where she placed sixth, four years ago, Anju hasn't been in the best of form, but was at least expected to go past the qualifying mark.

Now Indian medal hopes from the track and field rest in the 4 x 400 metres relay team, comprising Mandeep Kaur, Chitra Soman, S Geetha, Sini Jose, M R Povamma and K Mridula.