DAEGU, South Korea – A memorable meeting – marked by a late surge and a stumble – could be the start of a robust rivalry between Grenada’s Kirani James and American LaShawn Merritt.
James leaned across the line yesterday to win the gold medal in the 400 metres at the World Championships, upstaging the reigning titleholder, who had grab the back of the teenager’s jersey to prevent himself from falling.
The surprise finish put Merritt on notice: there’s a new kid in the blocks, and he’s pretty good. He’s even drawing comparisons to Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt.
“I don’t want to be the next Usain Bolt,” said James, who turns 19 tomorrow. “I’m happy in my own skin. I’m on the right track to great things.”
Merritt was a little rusty. This was his first major meet since serving a 21-month suspension for using a banned substance that his lawyer said was the result of a male-enhancement product. He lost steam with about ten metres to go, opening the door for James.
“He is a great competitor,” Merritt said as the Americans failed to win gold in the 400 for the first time since 2001.
“I didn’t quite have a good day.”
Their next major meeting could come at the London Olympics. Provided, of course, Merritt is allowed to compete.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport will deliver a verdict on the IOC’s “six-month rule”, which took effect in 2008 and prevents athletes who receive doping bans of more than six months from competing at the next Summer or Winter Games. A decision is expected in late September.
James ran a personal-best 44.60 seconds to edge Merritt by 0.03 and win Grenada’s first ever medal at the World Championships.
James said he was certain his hometown of Gouyave, a small fishing community, would be celebrating.
“Everyone is happy,” he said. “It is Carnival back home now.”
Hundreds watched anxiously on Grenadian television as James got off to a quick start, took his foot off the pedal in the middle of the race before producing a late surge to beat Merrit at the tape.
With James set to celebrate his 19th birthday, there have been calls for a national holiday.
People gathered on the streets of Gouyave for the typical victory parade that happens after James’s every international success but this one was different, as they danced in the street in an impromptu carnival.
His mother and brother, draped in a huge national flag, were also seen in the crowd including a young man wearing a T-shirt with the figure 44.60.
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Sports Minister Patrick Simmons visited the celebrations in Gouyave and congratulated members of James’s family.
A two-cannon blast echoed at noon from Police Headquarters followed by wailing of sirens from all fire tenders nationwide.
The country’s only world-class athlete before this was Alleyne Francique – over the same distance – who placed fourth at the 2004 Olympics.
It’s not as if James is an overnight success. He won the World Junior title last year and an NCAA crown last June when he ran for the University of Alabama. (CMC/AP)
