Jamaica grab two more medals

Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

JAMAICA'S TOP two female 100 metres hurdlers, Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster-Hylton, kept their outstanding form to the end to walk away with silver and bronze medals in a dramatic final last night at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Helsinki.

Olympic champion Joanna Hayes of the United States fell at the last hurdle and broke the concentration of the Jamaican duo as they pushed to overtake all-the-way leader and eventual champion, American Michelle Perry.

Ennis-London and Foster-Hylton have been inseparable in finals this season and last night it was no different. The two women hit the line in 12.76 seconds with the former getting the judges' nod for silver. Perry was a clear winner in 12.66.

HAPPY WITH THEIR SUCCESS

They were both happy with their success, especially Ennis-London who said after Wednesday's semi-finals that she was hungry for a medal.

"The medal means a lot to me," Ennis London said. "I think I am very blessed as I have gone through two knee surgeries and have been able to bounce back this year. I am very happy with the second place and next time God will help me to do better."

Foster-Hylton, a silver medallist two years ago, was also pleased with her medal.

"In a championship like this where there are so many mishaps, I am quite happy that I finished healthy and made the podium. For a moment during the race, I thought the Olympic champion was coming over in my lane as she fell but I am happy for Jamaica. Two medals show how good we are and the depth we have in this event."

Last night's medals brought Jamaica's tally at the championships to five, the same as 2003. The quality is up a notch. Two years ago it was four silver and one bronze. This time, thanks to the triple jump victory by Trecia Smith, Jamaica sit at an impressive fifth on the medals table with one gold, three silver and a bronze. The United States lead the way with nine gold, five silver and one bronze.

With three days to go, the Jamaican contingent is in line for more medals. Today Olympic champion Veronica Campbell runs in the women's 200m final and Brandon Simpson lines up in the men's 400m final.

An injury scare 70 metres out halted the progress of Usain Bolt in the men's 200m final. Bolt felt his hamstring muscle tighten and he trotted in at an official 26.27 seconds.

ALMOST COMING TO A STOP

The national 200m champion explained his reason for almost coming to a stop.

"I am not sure what happened, maybe it was too cold but I felt a tightness in my hamstring. I therefore stopped because I did not want to tear the hamstring. I actually felt good before the race, no nerves, so I was actually surprised when I felt the twinge."

Olympic champion, American Justin Gatlin, joined his compatriot Maurice Greene as the only man to take the sprint double at the World Championships. He won ridiculously easy in 20.04 to spearhead an American sweep of the medals and indeed, the first four places. Wallace Spearmon took silver in 20.20 and John Capel, bronze in 20.31. Tyson Gay was fourth in 20.34.