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Journalism of Courage
Tyson Gay is the world champion. In a 100 meters final that delivered all it promised Sunday, Gay was slower out of the blocks but once his legs were pumping, he caught and surged past Asafa Powell to claim his first gold medal at a major international championship in 9.85 seconds.
Powell, sensing defeat, was passed by Derrick Atkins of Bahamas at the tape in 9.91. Powell was third in 9.96, and even though he has a share of the world record at 9.77, remains without a major title.
Watched under a full moon by Japanese Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and some 40,000 fans at the Nagai Stadium, Gay pumped his arms, beat his chest and shouted in delight that finally ended weeks of nervous preparations.
Gay, regularly slower out of the blocks than Powell, had feared an initial false start, something which would put him even more on edge. But all went off after the starter’s gun, and head wobbling side to side, Gay had hit his groove.
Both were focussed on winning their first global title, something which would surely make him favourite for next year’s Olympics in Beijing.
Powell barely showed emotion — a sullen demeanor that said it all.
While the 100 was tough to predict, nothing was easier than tipping Carolina Kluft for an unprecedented third straight heptathlon title. And the 24-year-old Swede did it with a European record, becoming the second best heptathlete of all time after Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Kluft easily stretched her five-year unbeaten streak and, with a total of 7032, she beat the 18-year old European record of Russian Nikitina Larisa by 25 points. Immediately after setting the record, she led all competitors hand in hand around the Nagai stadium, the gesture as much the essence of Kluft as the outstanding performances.
Ukraine’s Lyudmila Blonska and Britain’s Kelly Sotherton won the silver and bronze medals. In a tense shot put final, New Zealander Valerie Vili overtook defending champion Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus with her last attempt 20.54 meters.
