Raleigh's Leigh Smith is one of the best javelin throwers in the world when he gets everything in sync.

But getting the footwork, the body turn, the release and all the other 100 technical things just right is difficult.

"I haven't been as consistent as I would like," Smith said. "But I wouldn't be going to the Olympics if I didn't think I could win a medal."

History is not on the Cardinal Gibbons High graduate's side.

The United States has won five men's javelin medals in the Olympic Games since 1908.

Cyrus Young won the United States' only gold in the men's javelin in 1952. The U.S. hasn't won a medal in the event since getting a bronze in 1972.

Smith, who is a commercial flight instructor in New Orleans, has the best throw by an American this year, 274 feet, 9 inches.

That throw landed him his Olympic berth.

He finished fifth in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, but only he, Mike Hazle, who was second in the trials, and American record holder Beaux Greer, a two-time Olympian, have Olympic "A" qualifying throws of at least 268 feet, 4 inches.

Hazle threw 248-7 in the trials, and Smith had a 243-7 throw. Greer has a shoulder injury and didn't make the finals at the trials.

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