Dawn Harper

NEW YORK CITY, United States:

American Olympic champion Dawn Harper always felt a close kinship to Jamaican athletes, even those among her fiercest on-track rivals. Turns out the hurdler's connection to the island runs much deeper than most knew.

Yesterday Harper revealed her grandfather is Jamaican.

"Yes, my father's father Thomas Harper," explained the 27-year-old, who's originally from East St Louis, Illinois, while here to compete in tomorrow's US Open Track and Field meet at Madison Square Garden.

She said her father Henry Harper told her about the family link to Jamaica. She has been to the island to compete at the National Stadium a few years ago where she won her pet event the 100 meters hurdles. Now Harper lives and trains in California, but is not shy declaring her affection for the country and its people.

"Luckily," said the 2008 Olympic gold medal winner who placed third at last year's World Championships in Athletics, "I love Jamaicans. I competed there once and I truly enjoyed myself."

According to Harper, the compelling track rivalry between the US and Jamaica, especially in the sprints, is just friendly competition, with no ill will, at least on her part.

"They ask me about the rivalry all the time," said Harper, who has battled many Jamaicans, including 2009 World Champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton . "I haven't met anybody, you know (from Jamaica), that I don't like.

"We're all good friends. Sure enough, when we step on the track we're competitive, "(but) when we step off you've done nothing to me."

She especially admires Foster-Hylton, who has suffered several setbacks, but eventually won the 100 metre hurdles gold medal in Berlin. Harper herself has undergone problems in her career, including a knee injury which required surgery and the mental block that followed.

"When you look at Brigitte, she's a young lady that is focused, determined," said Harper. "She's been through a number of things that she's had to overcome as well.

"When she steps on the track, to me, it's a joy to see her run too. I know that's where her heart is and I know that's where my heart is."

Harper said the embrace the competitors share at the end of each race is genuine. There is no animosity towards her Jamaican rivals.

"When we cross the finish line, you know, sometimes when you guys see us hug or something, (you probably say) 'is that real?' It is, because it's like 'Lord, we made it through it.' I truly enjoy running and hurdling against these girls."

That includes Jamaicans.

"Us coming together to show the world that you can have something in common that you want to go after, and your dreams, and goals, are alike. But it doesn't affect you being friends."

Or, in Harper's case, distant relatives.