Canadian curlers Homan and Morris on the wrong side of a millimetre at Beijing Olympics

John Morris knew it. Rachel Homan knew it too.

As the measuring stick agonizingly spun around the button, Morris and Homan stood there in shock.

The Italian rock was closer to the button by the slimmest of margins, ending Canada's Olympic mixed doubles curling dreams.

It was a gut-wrenching scene.

WATCH | Homan, Morris come up agonizingly short in extra end vs. Italy:

With the residue of defeat dripping off of Homan and Morris, they made their way to meet reporters.

Morris wrapped his arm around Homan.

"To everyone in Canada, we love you guys. We gave it everything we got," Morris said.

But in a lot of ways, it should have never come down to a last rock in an extra end in the final game of the round robin against Italy.

It wasn't the smoothest week of curling for Morris and Homan.

Morris even admitted during one of the fourth end break interviews he "sucked" and that "Rachel was playing great." The two just couldn't get on the same page at times when it came to line calls, what shot to throw, or when to sweep.

"Stop sweeping John," Homan yelled during one of her throws. They battled, however, never giving up at any point of any game when it would have been easy to quit.

WATCH | Canada eliminated from Olympic mixed doubles competition after loss to Italy:

The last 24 hours have been dramatic for the two.

They clawed their way back against the Czechs, scoring two in the final end before stealing an improbable victory to put themselves in prime playoff position at 5-2.

Then news broke that Australian curler Tahli Gill had tested positive for COVID-19, and that her Aussie team was out of the mixed doubles competition.

They had two games left, one of which was to be played against Canada. It appeared Canada would be awarded a