Veronica Campbell-Brown

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
Daegu, South Korea:

Jamaican sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown admits not leaving Daegu with two silver medals served as added motivation, as she stretched her sinews towards a historic gold medal in the women's 200m final yesterday.

"It's been a long time coming so I am thankful to God for giving me the strength to execute," said Campbell-Brown," told Star Sports, following the event.

absolute best

"I didn't want to go home with two silver medals, I missed out on a gold medal in the 100m, and I knew I had to come out here and give it my absolute best; running a good curve was key to victory tonight."

Finally, it was gold sweet gold for Veronica Campbell-Brown in Daegu, South Korea, as she conquered one of the best fields ever assembled in the women's 200m to claim her first ever IAAF World Championships in Athletics title over the distance.

In what was Jamaica's most productive day at the championships, the team of Allodin Fothergill, Jermaine Gonzales, Riker Hylton and Leford Green produced Jamaica's first 4x400m medal since 2005, after picking up the bronze medal behind the United States and South Africa.

Gonzales was extremely proud of the efforts of the team and believes it has set them up nicely going into the Olympic Games in 2012.

"I'm extremely happy, a lot of people in Jamaica has been doubting the quarter-milers for the past couple of years and so just to get the bronze here with such young guys on the team shows that there is a future in the event in Jamaica," Gonzales said.

Campbell-Brown left the starting blocks in a hurry and showed good strength and determination to fend off a mid-race challenge from 100m champion Carmelita Jeter to cross the line in her fastest time this year - 22.22 seconds, with the American stopping the clock on 22.37 seconds. Defending champion Allyson Felix was third in 22.42 seconds with Jamaicans Kerron Stewart, 22.70, and Sherone Simpson, 23.17 finishing fifth and eighth, respectively.

It became clear right after the race just how much the victory meant to the Jamaican, who stooped on the track as tears began to flow down her cheeks.