Matthew Emmons of US (L) is conforted by his wife Katerina after the final results of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's 50m Rifle 3 positions shooting event on August 17, 2008 at the Beijing Shooting Hall. Qiu Jian of China won the gold medal, Jury Sukhorukov of Ukraine the silver, and Rajmond Debevec of Slovenia de bronze. Emmons finished in fourth position. [Agencies]

The fact that Emmons, who won silver in the 50m rifle prone, came fourth despite a 4.4 underscores how good a day he was having. The American led throughout the entire event and was leading by a comfortable margin of 3.4 before pulling the trigger for the last time. He was the last one to shoot and spectators were set to cheer the winner.

His shot left people speechless. His wife Katerina Emmons, who took the first gold at the Beijing Games in women's 10m air rifle, was the guest commentator for a Czech TV station at the spot. She could not speak, watching the score with her mouth open.

Just as she did four years ago, Katerina went to console her husband, kissing and hugging him.

"Before the last shot, I was thinking really the same thing as I did in the previous round. It's just the routine I was doing. I was just thinking about my competitions I shot at home, which was really comfortable and relaxing. To be honest, I felt really good as I picked up the gun and I was feeling comfortable. Of course I was a little bit more nervous but that's normal and I am used to that," Emmons said.

Katerina could not believe this mysterious mistake happened again. "It's just not meant to be. There is no reason for this to happen. So if it does, there's got to be a reason. He never does that.