VCB on course for third Olympic 200 title
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Veronica Campbell-Brown, winner of the 200m at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, could become the first woman in history to win the 200m gold in three consecutive games if is she successfully defends her title today.
Campbell-Brown will defend her 200m-title at 3:00 pm today.
The Jamaican sprint-queen will go up against long-time rival Allyson Felix from the United States, Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards-Ross, also from the US, and teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser for the coveted title.
Campbell-Brown, 30, and Felix, 26, have been going head to head since 2004.
In the last two Olympics, and last four World Outdoor championships 200m finals, Felix and Campbell-Brown alone have accounted for every gold medal and all but two silver medals.
Felix is a three-time world champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist, while VCB is the two time Olympic gold medallist, the 2011 world champion and a two-time World championship runner-up to Felix.
VCB cruised into the semi-finals in an impressive 22.32 seconds; Felix did the same just a shade slower in 22.31.
Felix is anxious to compete, “It has been a long time coming. I feel I am ready to put a race together,” she was quoted as saying.
Campbell-Brown however has sought to remain focused, “It will be an extremely good event. My intention is to stay focused and to run my heart out,” she told reporters in London.