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| Sunday, 14 July, 2002, 21:06 GMT 22:06 UK Whitlock overshadows event
Like everyone else, I only found out on Sunday morning that Janine Whitlock had failed a drugs test. It is not something that is helpful at a time like this - so near some major championships. But there is never a good time for a drug story. Technically she has not been suspended and could turn up at the Commonwealth Games but it remains to be seen whether she can do that under the media and public scrutiny. It would be unwise of her to do it - major championships are hard enough even without this hanging over you. Aside from that bad news, it was a much better day. The standard was a little low for at the AAAs Championship but some of the performances on Sunday were a lot more impressive.
In the 200m, Darren Campbell flew out of the blocks although that was accentuated by the fact that Dwain Chambers got away so badly. Marlon Devonish was really strong over the last 50 metres to clinch it but Darren did really well to hold off the pressure of Christian Malcolm. That was some really world-class sprinting from that trio. I know Marlon won it, but what Darren did was especially impressive. What he has done to come back like that is a phenomenal job. We have not seen the best from Darren this summer. He's produced the goods at major championships before and that counts for a lot. And he can do it again. Dwain obviously had problems with a hamstring and now he can concentrate on just the one event in the European Championships - the 100m. While the British guys look in great shape for the 200m they face opposition in the Commonwealth Games from Frankie Fredericks who is in cracking shape and Konstadinos Kederis in the European Championships. Despite Darren and Marlon's running, Kelly Morgan pulled off the best performance of the day by breaking the British record once again.
It just shows you what confidence can do for you. She broke the record before and needed to repeat that, which she did in some style. The Commonwealth Games will throw out some immense new talent in world athletics and Kelly could be a really big name by the time the summer is over. Elsewhere, it was great to see Kelly Holmes, Chris Rawlinson ran a superb 400m hurdles to hold off some tough opposition and Tim Benjamin surprised a lot of people with his finish in the 400m. Benjamin is still a bit tentative over the first 200m, but he is still only 20 and there is a lot more to come from him. He was helped by the fact he was in a real race, was closing fast on Sean Baldock and had victory within his grasp. We have had a strong history of 400m runners in the past and another is looming on the horizon. |
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