University of Michigan graduate Kevin Sullivan, 30, bowed out in the 1,500-meter semifinals in Athens Aug. 22, placing ninth in 3:42.86. It wasn't what the Canadian star, who placed fifth in the Sydney Olympics, had hoped for. But it hardly diminishes his career.

Sullivan has been world-class since 1992 - a long run, indeed, for athletes of that caliber. He claimed a bronze medal at the junior world championships 12 years ago, starred for the Wolverines under coach Ron Warhurst, and has thrived through the ups and downs time and competition bring.

The redhead missed the 1996 Atlanta Games with an injury, but came back in 2000 to set still-standing Canadian records in the mile (3:50.26) and 1,500 (3:31.71). His fifth at Sydney was his nation's best place that year in track.

Sullivan struggled in 2003 with an Achilles injury, but bounced back this year to win the gold medal at Canada's 1,500 championships and post a season-best 3:34.43 in Rome.

"(The Olympics are) our Stanley Cup," said Sullivan when named again to his national team this summer. "You see hockey players jumping teams, trying to get on the one that's going to make it to the Cup because they don't know if they're ever going to get that opportunity again.

"We only get the opportunity every four years," he continued. "There are about 30 guys who, on any given day, could be in a 12-man final (at Athens)." Aug. 22 wasn't that day for Sullivan. But at age 30, has had them - and there'll be others. Sullivan, who still trains under Warhurst, is married to former Canadian steeplechase star Karen Harvey. Both now coach at the University of Illinois. They have wisdom to share - and wheels underneath as well. MR