U.S. sprinter Marion Jones and Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic have won two of the six gold medals up for grabs at the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Marion Jones was looking to erase the memory of a loss in the 100-meters finals earlier this week. The U.S. sprinter sped away from Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas and won the 200-meters in 22.39 seconds. American Kelli White won the bronze.
Jones says that she knew she had to put out a huge effort to beat Ferguson. "I ran such a hard curve, and I think I really put it all on the curve," she said. "And, so, yeah, I was a little bit tired in the end. But, I think, that I was able to make up the stagger so quick, that I was able to hold on."
The men's 400-meter hurdles title went to Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, the first medal at a world championship for his country. Sanchez, a native of New York, whose parents were born in the Dominican Republic, says that he was overcome by the emotion of winning the gold. "I kept thinking about the finish of the race, me finishing in first; me finishing in second; me finishing in third," he said. "I just wanted to make it on the podium. And I am just glad I pulled it off." The silver medal went to 1999 champion Fabrizio Mori of Italy, with Tamesue Dai of Japan taking the bronze.
The women's triple jump gold went to Russian Tatyana Lebedeva, who had a total of 15.25 meters. Francoise Mbango Etone of Cameroon won the silver, and the bronze went to Tereza Marinova of Bulgaria.
Richard Limo of Kenya won the men's 5,000 meters gold in 13.077. Ali Saidi Saef of Algeria won the silver, and the Bronze went to Million Wolde of Ethiopia.
Louise Sauvage of Australia won the women's 800-meter wheelchair gold. The men's 15,000 meter wheelchair gold went to Aaron Gordian of Mexico.