 Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown, foreground, crosses the finish line ahead of U.S. sprinters Carmelita Jeter, center, and Allyson Felix in the women’s 200-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, Friday. / AP-Yonhap |
By Yoon Chul
DAEGU – Veronica Campbell-Brown became the IAAF World Championships 200-meter champion in Daegu, Friday denying Allyson Felix a fourth title.
The Jamaican sprinter crossed the finish line in 22.22 seconds followed by Carmelita Jeter and Felix of the United States in second and third.
Campbell-Brown won Olympic golds in 2004 and 2008, but only finished second in the last two world championships.
Jeter, a winner in the 100 meters, clocked in at 22.37 for silver.
"(My goal) was just to maintain, do the curve and come out at the straight. I was able to do that tonight," she said.
"Allyson's a great competitor.
"It's been a long season and finally after many years of trying I get the victory at the world championships and the only thing missing now is the (Olympic) 100-meter gold medal so we'll see if it's my destiny next year."
In one of most exciting competitions of the championships, it was a close race between Campbell-Brown and Jeter. As soon as the gun started the race, Campbell-Brown came out first trailed by Jeter who managed to narrow the distance in the straight, but the Jamaican didn’t surrender the lead. After crossing the finish line, the Campbell-Brown wept before rising to respond to the fans.
“I'm not upset, I'm very, very pleased,” said Jeter. “Who’d even have thought I was going to get a medal in the 200 meters. So I'm very happy.”
"Veronica ran a great race. I tried to run with her but she was a step ahead of me. For London 2012 I'm planning on doubling."
Reigning champion Felix was .05 seconds behind the runner-up for bronze. The 25-year-old American seemed to be exhausted after competing in the 400 meters. Since the championships started on Aug. 27 she has raced on four consecutive days.
“I'm disappointed and tired but have no regrets. I wouldn't change going for the double but I'm definitely disappointed.
"I think I ran with my heart because that's about all that was left but I just tried to put the race together.
"Looking back, my turnover was not really there. It didn't come together. I'm really motivated for next year."
US wins 4x400-meter relay
The U.S. came-from-behind for victory in defense of their world title in the men’s 4x400-meter relay in the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Friday.
The Americans finished in two minutes 59.31 seconds followed by South Africa (2:59.87) and Jamaica (3:00.10) in silver and bronze positions.
The win was America’s ninth gold medal of the games.
The U.S team was trailing in third until the last lap when Lashawn Merritt, silver medalist in the 400 meters, stole the lead for gold.
“Blade Runner,” Oscar Pistorius, didn’t run in the final for South Africa as the team brought home silver.
But as he ran in the qualifiers on Thursday he also was awarded silver.
Sprinting powerhouse Jamaica had the lead at the start of the last lap but Leford Green was overpowered by the runners from the U.S. and South Africa.
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