Olympic athletics: Felix finally takes 200 metres gold

London, Aug 9 (IANS): Having faced disappointment of not being able to win a gold medal on two previous occasions, Allyson Felix made sure this time it should be different as she went on to win gold in the women’s 200 metres Wednesday night.

Felix had to contend with silver in Athens and Beijing games. But this time here she led from start to finish to run a time of 21.88, finishing ahead of Shelly Ann Frazier-Pryce and Carmelita Jeter, Xinhua reported.

“It has been a long time coming, I have waited to do long for this, so I am overjoyed, there are so many people here tonight, so I am delighted to share it with them,” said Felix, who had almost all of her family watching from the stands of the Olympic stadium.

The 26-year-old has won three world championships but had always come up against Campbell Brown at the Olympics. She said the chance of finally taking gold in an individual event had not happened to her.

“It was all about of getting it done: I wanted to keep going and never gave in,” said Felix.

“You can never lose sight of your dream, I suppose it will sink in sometimes tonight. I have waited so long and this moment is really priceless,” she added.

This time the race had been billed as Jamaica versus the US with defending champion Veronica Campbell Brown and 100 metres gold medalist Frazier-Pryce in the Jamaican corner.

Meanwhile, world 100 metres champion, Jeter, 400 metres champion, Sanya Richards Ross and Felix, who took silver in Beijing and was second in last year’s World Championships, were representing the US.

Campbell Brown had beaten Felix in the last two Olympics and was looking to make history by becoming the first woman to win gold in the same event in three consecutive Games. As it was she only briefly threatened before dropping off the pace after coming off the bend.

Felix looked like a woman with a mission throughout the race, while 100 metres gold medalist Frazier-Pryce proved she has been working on her stamina as she was able to hold off Jeter in the last 50 metres.

“I am so grateful. To come here and get silver, they are all such fast ladies – it’s a blessing,” said the Jamaican, who put the medal down to hard work.

“A lot of hard work and discipline has gone into this. My coach (Stephen Francis Jam has believed in me so much, I can’t believe I’ve come here and got two medals,” said Frazier-Pryce.