Williams-Darling adds world crown to Olympic title

Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling posses for
photographers after winning the women’s 400m title
in Helsinki, Finland on August 10, 2005.
(Photo by Youngs Images)

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Correspondent

Thursday, August 11, 2005

HELSINKI, Finland:  Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling powered her way home in the final stretch to capture the women’s 400-metre dash at the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland on Wednesday.

In one of the most thrilling races of the world Championships thus far, on another soaking day in Helsinki, Williams-Darling clocked a season’s best 49.55seconds to add the World title to the Olympic crown she won last summer in Athens, Greece. 

"Victory was due to my faith in God," the Bahamian said. "He's been with me all my career," she added.

The 29-year-old entered the home stretch behind but used her experience and strength to overtake Jamaican-born American world leader Sanya Richards, who finished second in 49.75seconds.

"Yes, I am very disappointed," Richards said. "I knew I could have won that race, I guess it was just not my time. It was a good race, but I did not execute as well as coach had wanted me to. I think I came through 200 too fast."

"I never worried about who was in front or behind me and with 50 metres to go I felt like I had something extra," the Olympic champion said.

Williams-Darling's victory placed her in a small elite group of athletes to win both the Olympic and world title simultaneously, following in the foot-steps of Australian Cathey Freeman and Frances’ Marie-Jose Perec. 

Her time was also the fastest in the event since 1995 when Perec took the title. She now joins Perec and Cathey Freeman in holding both titles simultaneously.

Crossing the finish line in the pouring rain, the Bahamian looked across at her opponents before falling on her knees to kiss the turf.

Defending champion Ana Guevara of Mexico ran an equally good race but had to settle for the bronze medal in a year best time of 49.81.

Simpson and Brown survive

The men’s final which is slated for Thursday will see Jamaica’s Brandon Simpson and Bahamian Chris Brown facing the starter for the final, following their impressive semi-final performances.

Simpson clocked 45.53 seconds to take the first of three semi-finals over American Andrew Rock. In the third heat Brown finish second to event favourite Jeremy Wariner of USA in 45.67. The American was timed at 45.65. 

Commonwealth champion Michael Blackwood finished third in his heat in 46.25, compatriot Lansford Spence could only manage seventh in heat two 47.20, Francique Alleyne, the World Indoor champion from Budapest placed fifth in heat one with a time of 46.59. He was also defeated by Dominican Republic’s Carlos Santa, who clocked 46.07 for fourth. 

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