Few could manage a smile after Australia spectacularly failed to qualify for the world swimming championship men's 4x100m freestyle relay final in Russia.
Yet beaming Dolphins young gun Kyle Chalmers still rated it the best moment of his life.
And Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren will hope there are some more good times ahead at Kazan thanks to Chalmers' exuberance as well as Cameron McEvoy's frustration.
Chalmers, just 17, was the sole shining light after Australia bombed to spectacularly miss out on the the 100m freestyle relay final on day one of the titles.
"It was probably the best moment I have ever had in my life to be honest," said Chalmers, who produced a stunning 47.92 second leg.
"When I woke up I was so excited pulling on the track suit.
"Getting to wear the gold cap for the first time and walking through the marshalling room with these guys was a pretty special moment for me."
Head coach Jacco Verhaeren was livid after the relay debacle but would have seen a silver lining to Chalmers' joy before the world titles 100m freestyle heats start on Wednesday.
The world titles had been seen as a crossroads for the teenager who will be eligible for next year's AFL Draft.
Chalmers was the revelation of April's world selection trials where he became the world's fastest 16-year-old in water.
Verhaeren hoped the world titles experience would convince Chalmers to avoid AFL's obvious lure.
He is the son of former AFL player Brett Chalmers.
Chalmers even carries a Sherrin around pool-side.
For now Chalmers is banned from playing AFL by his coaches after almost sabotaging his world titles campaign by breaking his wrist and tearing ankle ligaments playing for his school in May.
Verhaeren may now have an idea of what Chalmers is capable of in the 100m freestyle but the jury is still out on Australia's other major prospect Cameron McEvoy after a relay gamble spectacularly failed to pay off.
Incredibly Pan Pacific champion McEvoy was left out of the relay heats with an eye toward a final they never qualified for.
Verhaeren's call was made even more confusing considering the squad was already without world 100m champ James Magnussen (shoulder).
McEvoy is the world No.3 (48.06 seconds) behind Russian hope Vladimir Morozov (47.98).
"It was disappointing not to race the relay. I love the race, it started my international career (in London)," McEvoy said.
"But I don't like playing the 'what if' game."
However, the man named to replace Magnussen in the 100m - Tommaso D'Orsogna - certainly was.
D'Orsogna will be another to watch in the 100m heats after holding himself responsible for their relay gaffe following his sluggish opening leg.
"Because of my swim we weren't able to get through," an emotional D'Orsogna said.
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