ATHENS - Jamaican Veronica Campbell became the first Jamaican and Caribbean woman ever to win an Olympic sprint gold when she captured the 200 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympics yesterday.

Campbell sped to a front-running victory in a personal best time of 22.05 seconds, defeating American Allyson Felix (22.18), and Bahamian Debbie Ferguson who ran a season's best 22.30 seconds.

Ferguson came in just ahead of Jamaican Aleen Bailey, who clocked 22.44.

Veronica Campbell crossing the 200-metre finish line in 22.05 seconds yesterday to give Jamaica its first gold medal at the Athens Olympics (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

"My plan was to just get out there and just run the race of my life," Campbell said after her victory.

"I know that in the 200, in order to do very well, you've got to run the first curve (hard), and that's what I did," Campbell said. "I ran the first curve and I had the momentum to finish up the race."

The result broke a run of four consecutive silver medals for the Caribbean in the women's 200 metres - Jamaicans Grace Jackson (1988), Juliet Cuthbert (1992), Merlene Ottey (1996) and Bahamian Pauline Davis-Thompson in Sydney four years ago.

Campbell led from the start and repelled a determined challenge from Felix down the stretch to secure Jamaica's sixth gold medal in Olympic history.

Veronica Campbell walks with the Jamaican flag after winning the 200 metres yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

She said she expected the late-race challenge from the American but was prepared for it.

"I could feel her and I expected to feel her at 50 metres or 30 metres to go, because I know that she has a good finish," Campbell said. "That's why I ran my curve the way I did."

Jamaica's previous gold medals went to Arthur Wint in the 400 metres in London in 1948, George Rhoden in the 400 metres and the men's 1600-metre relay in Helsinki in 1952, Donald Quarrie in 200 metres in Montreal in 1976, and Deon Hemmings in the 400 metres hurdles in Atlanta in 1996.

In the men's 200 metres, Jamaica's Asafa Powell advanced to the final with a fourth place finish in the second semi-final in 20.56 seconds. The Americans Shawn Crawford (20.05) and 100-metre gold medallist Justin Gatlin (20.35) were the semi-final winners.

Today, Jamaica will also have three runners in the men's 110 metre hurdles semi-finals. Maurice Wignall (13.39), Richard Phillips (13.44) and Chris Pinnock (13.47) all progressed from the second round.

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