New Tecumseth’s Kyle Helf was two metres short of making the Canadian Olympic team.

At the Canadian Olympic Trials Sunday Helf placed second in the shot put event. His throw of 18.67 metres wasn’t enough to conquer Canadian record holder Dylan Armstrong, who shot 20.92 metres.

The trials were held at the University of Windsor last weekend and produced Canada’s roster for the Beijing Olympics in August.

“I felt pretty relaxed going into these championships,” said Helf, who is now enjoying his summer holidays at his home in Nicolston.

It’s the second time 22-year-old Helf has competed at the Canadian Championships. The first time was 2006, when he also placed second to Armstrong.

Last year an injury sidelined him for the 2007 event. He was hit in the side with a hammer during a hammer throw practice at the University of Georgia, where he has attended school on a full scholarship for the past four years. Luckily, the hammer didn’t cause any major damage, although Helf lost 20 pounds during his recovery.

This past season was Helf’s first full year back competing after the injury. He said much of the fall was spent building his strength back up before the indoor circuit for the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) began.

The recent Olympic trials came three weeks after his final NCAA meet with the University of Georgia.

Following the NCAA meet Helf returned home and trained with his longtime coach Peter Dajia. During the university season Helf trains with a different coach and said it’s nice to return to the coach who was there when his passion for shot put began.

With the trials behind him, Helf is looking cautiously to the future.

This summer he plans to take it easy and do some light training. He’s returning to Georgia for a fifth year in the fall, but is unable to compete for the university as the NCAA only allows athletes to compete for four years.

That doesn’t mean Helf isn’t going to continue training.

He can compete unattached at most of the competitions. Apart from school events, Helf is taking competing one step at a time. He aims to make the Canadian team for the 2009 Francophone Games in Beirut. After that there is the PanAm Games, and the prospect of the 2012 Olympics is still there.

“As far as things are going right now I’m improving each year still. I feel I keep going by four years there’s a good chance I could make the Olympic team,” said Helf.