Grenada hails sprinter's golden run
(08-07 11:58)
Jubilation erupted across Grenada last night when world champion runner Kirani James earned the island its first ever Olympic medal – gold, in the London Games 400 meters final. Grenadians danced in capital, St. Georges, waving flags shortly after 19-year-old James cleared the tape. His triumph also set off exuberant scenes in his home town, west coast fishing village Gouyave, where thousands had gathered to watch the event on big screens.
Similar gatherings had been held in the town of Grenville, on the east coast, and the tourism belt of Grand Anse, as well as the National Stadium in the capital.
The 19-year-old clocked 43.94 seconds – a new Caribbean record – as he brushed aside his field and stormed to the finish at the Olympic Stadium.
James called it a “great race,'' saying ``I just tried to cover my first 200 metres, push on that and hold on for the ending.''
The Grenadian forced Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic into second with a time of 44.46 seconds, while Trinidad and Tobago's Lalonde Gordon claimed bronze in a personal best 44.52 seconds.
The victory, just weeks before James' 20th birthday, adds to his capture of the World title at the 2011 championships in Daegu, South Korea.
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