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.

* Taken from Jamaica Gleanor at www.jamaicagleaner.com
DOne know!! Big up to Veronica Campbell for making Jamaica proud!

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im not at all surprised that jam. are doing well in track and field, in philly they always do well at the penn relays. im happy for them, hope they keep up it in athens.!!!!!

Good 2 Go JA!

I got the JA flag made by PUMA for the olympics, by conning a store clerk into giving it to me Aren't you proud of me PB?

Yay JA!

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Very proud BG, very proud just like I am of my Jamaica.

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Dis one is dedicated to Veronica Campbell who made Jamaica proud by winning the Gold medal in the 200 meters.

Cho
Gold, deh roun' Ronnie neck,
When shi bus' all di sprint,
Di odda girls get lef'
Wi win it,
Gold in di Olympics
A so wi girls dem good
Dem have di bes' tactics


On yuh marks,
Get set,
Go!
Wi naw deh a las'
likkle but wi tallawah,
An' wi legs dem fas'
Wi illustrious
An' full up a di skill
So dem fi move out a wi way
An' mek wi move at wi will
Day afta day wi train an' practice
Fi prove who a di Don fi dis Olympics
Yes wi have hardships
An nuff obstacles
But dem cyaaan sink wi ship
Or bus' wi bubbles,
So mek wi
Big up di black
Big up di green
Big up di gold
Big up Jamaica,
Mek di good times roll.
Big up Veronica,
A decent soul,
She raise up wi hopes an' nuh lef wi eeen di cold.

Cho
Gold, deh roun' Ronnie neck,
When shi bus' all di sprint,
Di odda girls get lef'
Wi win it,
Gold in di Olympics
A so wi girls dem good
Dem have di bes' tactics

My uncle takes time off from his job to go to the Penn evry year,......GO JA!!

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GO JA!!!
Thanks for the update PB

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mis dis thread Big up Peeps to All oonu who luv oonu Great!!!!!

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all yardies like to party/blessup jamaica

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Yeah Yeah Big Up To All Di Athletes Representing Jamaica!!!!nuff Respec

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Nuh Watch No Face
2 Sweet

Anyone no if dem hav some parties for the Olympians in Jah or if dem hav some celebrations dey. dey shud party all week eeh. big up to dem peeps.

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all yardies like to party/blessup jamaica

I was so happy when Jamaica won gold in the 200 metres and then gold in the 4x100 relay. I wanted them to win the 4x400 relay but they came 3rd and took bronze which is great still, i was disappointed to learn that the men got disqualified after crossing lanes but i guess there's always next time. Hopefully in 4 years time when the jamaican team go to Beijing they'll be able to get more gold medals.

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Life is what
you make it

You know, when the Reggae Boys had won in the WOrld CUp Prime Minister declared it a National Holiday...wonder if they will do so now? Hmmm....

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Big Up To Jamaica, ISLAND OF SPRINTAS. Its too bad U.S. droppped out i wanted to see Jamaica and U.S. face off. I know for sure they would have won anyways.

I hate the broadcasting of the U.S. because they dont broadcast fairly. Even if an American Athlete wins a bronze they keep the camera on them as if they won gold during the anthems, I mean what is up with that.

The Olympics is about the World not just America. When Marion Jones and Lauryn Williams messed up the paton pass they almost didnt show the end of the race cuz they were focused on them two. Also after the Jamaican squad won the relay they didnt put the camera on the Jamaicans celebrating, just on the U.S. women walking around the track.

Most of the small countries dont have a camera down there to broadcast so they have to rely on other broadcasting companies and if they dont shoot fairly there not going to see the few athletes from there country that made it to the Olympics. This happenes every four years so its important to them.

One more note, The 4x100 men and womens team lost, not only because they didnt practiced handoffs, but also because they came in with the mentality that no one else have foot to run with and that they dont have to be worried. That no way some athletes from a country they have never been too can beat them.

Big up to Princess Black with the news, Nuff respect.

Peace, one love