Day 13: Jamaica completes sweep of sprint golds

Source: Xinhua | 08-22-2008 10:32

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women's 200m race on Thursday at the Beijing Olympics to complete a clean sweep of sprint gold medals for Jamaica.

Campbell-Brown clocked a personal best time of 21.74 seconds, beating two-time world champion Allyson Felix of the United States into second place in 21.93. Jamaica also won the bronze medal as Kerron Stewart posted a time of 22 seconds flat.

Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica jubilates after winning the  women's 200m final at the National Stadium, also known as the  Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China,  Aug. 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Jamaica dominated the sprints at the Games, with Usain Bolt taking both men's 100m and 200m in world record time and Shelley-Ann Fraser leading a Jamaican sweep of medals in women's 100m.

    "They (Jamaican runners) seem to be stepping up now. That's what we are witnessing," said Felix.

    It was only the fourth time in Olympic history that a country win all the four sprint golds. Before 2008, only the United States had achieved the feat.