sentences:  The third qualifier at those trials was Ron Drummond, but with almost five months to wait until the Olympics, he gave up his Olympic spot to go to dental school, allowing 4th place Des Koch the opportunity to go to Melbourne.In the qualifying round, Oerter threw 51.19m to easily qualify ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Fanie du Plessis and returning silver medalist, 39 year old Adolfo Consolini.The format allowed all who cleared 47 metres to qualify to the finals, Gordien's 47.67m made the distance by a little over 2 feet, still he was the twelfth qualifier.