Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce completes double in Allyson Felix woe at world athletics
While the 27-year-old lay prone on the ground, her dreams of setting an all-time world championship gold tally record of nine in ruins, Fraser-Pryce strode to the line untroubled despite having one of her shoelaces undone.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: August 17, 2013 09:18 AM IST
Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce became the third athlete to achieve the women's sprint double at the World Athletics Championships when she won the 200m on Friday in Moscow.
The 26-year-old, who regained her 100m title on Monday, timed 22.17 seconds while 100m silver medallist, Murielle Ahoure of Ivory Coast, took another silver in a photo finish with Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare, both of whom timed 22.32.
Three-time champion Allyson Felix of the United States failed to finish after collapsing dramatically onto the track coming round the bend into the home straight.
While the 27-year-old lay prone on the ground, her dreams of setting an all-time world championship gold tally record of nine in ruins, Fraser-Pryce strode to the line untroubled despite having one of her shoelaces undone.
Crossing the finishing line she clapped as well she might, joining East Germans Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991) in completing the double.
"This win took a lot of sacrifice, hard work and commitment," said Fraser-Pryce, still sporting her partly-dyed pink hair she unveiled in the 100m final.
"I used to hate the 200m but now I know whatever I put my mind to I can accomplish.
"It is very unfortunate what happened to Felix, really sad, and I hope she will recover soon," added Fraser-Pryce, whose winning margin in the 100m was the largest in the event's world championship history.
Ahoure and Okagbare fought out a thrilling duel with the 25-year-old Ivorian prevailing in the closest of finishes to give Africa their first medals in the history of the event at the worlds.
Ahoure, known back in her country as the 'female Drogba' in honour of football star and compatriot Didier Drogba, was ecstatic to have made another piece of history for her continent.Even more so as she had spoken earlier in the week of wanting to be a role model for budding athletes in Africa and stop the draining of talent to richer countries willing to pay for their talents.
"This is a very special moment for myself, my country and the continent," she said.
"I battled really hard down the straight with Blessing and I didn't know which of us had got the edge at the line."
Okagbare, like Ahoure trains in the United States, was not in the least bit disappointed by missing out on silver.
"I am happy winning the bronze. I battled hard and hung in there but it wasn't enough to finish with the silver. Silver and bronze this time, I will try and turn it into gold next time," said the 24-year-old, who also reached the 100m final.
For both it was their second medal of the championships -- Ahoure's being Africa's first in a women's world 100m final - while Okagbare took silver in the long jump.
However, while they did a lap of honour - after Ahoure had smothered Fraser-Pryce with an embrace as she lay on the ground overcome by her achievement - a crestfallen Felix was carried from the track by her brother.