Sometimes, as we all know, life just isn't fair.

Usually, athletes get a fair shake to show their talent. If they lose, they were usually beaten by a better athlete.

But what happened to University at Albany sprinter Joe Greene doesn't seem fair.

Greene was a provisional qualifier for tonight's U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. He was ranked 28th when he left Albany International Airport on Tuesday. Originally, 28 runners were scheduled to go off in four heats.

Upon Greene's arrival, the USA Track & Field selection committee decided to go with only 27 competitors. Greene, and his coaching staff, appealed the decision, but the committee refused to change its mind. He made a very long trip for nothing.

I was warned by assistant sports editor Rick Stellrecht, our track & field guru, that Greene's provisional status didn't guarantee him a spot in the trials, but I had no idea the committee could reduce the size of the qualifying field, especially when it became an odd number (27). Stellrecht said somebody probably pulled out at the last minute, and the committee decided to freeze the field.

Greene may not have had what it takes to advance in the trials, but he should have been given the chance to at least compete, based on his ranking when he left the Capital Region.

We have precariously few Olympic hopefuls left. Let's see how many local products make the trip to China this summer.