GOLD - New sprint queen nabs Olympic medal
published: Thursday | August 26, 2004
By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
Campbell (left) crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the women's 200 metres final at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games yesterday. Campbell won in 22.05 seconds, ahead of Allyson Felix of the U.S. and Bahamas' Debbie Ferguson. - Reuters ATHENS, Greece:
VERONICA CAMPBELL, for long the heir apparent, was crowned Jamaica's new sprint queen at the Athens Olympic Stadium last night.
In a majestic performance before a packed stadium, Campbell, a native of Trelawny, became the second Jamaican woman to win an Olympic gold medal when she captured the 200 metres in the Greek capital.
Campbell, 22, destroyed her rivals around the curve to post her best ever time on the world's biggest sports stage. It puts her on the same page as Deon Hemmings, who became the first Jamaican woman to win Olympic gold when she won the 400m hurdles eight years ago in Atlanta.
The 2000 World Junior champion won her second medal of the Games in a world-leading 22.05 seconds to better the 22.13 personal best she had set in the semi-finals. American 18-year-old Allyson Felix got the silver in a world junior record 22.18 while veteran Bahamian Debbie Ferguson took bronze in a season best 22.30.
Aleen Bailey, fourth in 22.42, accompanied Campbell on a victory lap as both celebrated before an appreciative Greek crowd with a big Jamaican flag.
Campbell was overjoyed with her victory.
"I am so happy, so glad that I was able to come out here and win the gold medal. I know everybody back home is happy and I really want to thank them for their support as I always want to make my country proud."
She said the curve proved to be the key.
"I ran a good curve and then I just maintained my momentum all the way down to the line. It was a great race. I was looking to run under 22 seconds but I am happy with the time."
Campbell had got some words of encouragement from her idol Merlene Ottey before the race.
"I love Merlene. She has always been my motivation. Before I ran she told me that I can do well and win the gold."
One of the first people to give Campbell a great big hug was her coach Lance Brauman from the University of Arkansas. Brauman, one of three personal coaches accredited to the Jamaica team, said that since the season began Olympic gold had always been the goal.
"That was the plan from the beginning of training. It was a matter of setting up training to run fast at the Olympic Games. We overcame some minor injuries and she ran personal bests in both the 100m and 200m at the biggest meet in her life," Brauman said.
