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By Susan Wessling
Johnson set the new-world mark at 43.18. Johnson now holds the 200m and 400m world marks - the first man to achieve this since Tommie Smith held both records some 30 years ago. "I wanted the gold, but I also knew that I would not have many more occasions to break the world record," Johnson told the IAAF press. "I think the difference is that here in Seville I have really been at peace with myself. I have learned to accept the bad and the good. I tried to follow the instructions of my coach - to go through 100m in 10.9 and 200m in 21.0 and once I had done that, I just tried to bring it home for the last half of the race. I still think I can run 42 seconds. This is a step in that direction." For the first 200 meters of his record-setting performance, Johnson ran with the field, but on the final turn he accelerated hard and by the time he entered the straight, he was blowing away the competition. Brazil's Sanderlei Claro Parrela won the silver in 44.29, an Area record, and Alejandro Cardenas of Mexico took bronze with a personal best 44.32. After the race, IAAF President Dr Primo Nebiolo said the record was a "fitting prize for an athlete who practices our sport with passion and professionality." Johnson's win also brought him $160,000 in prize money - $60,000 for first place and $100,000 as a bonus offered by TDK as part of the IAAF World Record Program. Earlier in the championships' U.S. sprinter and long jumper Marion Jones' saw her dreams of winning four gold medals evaporate. Jones collapsed during the second semi-final of the 200m. Jones fell to the ground clutching her back in the straightaway. She was in fourth place at the time. An initial analysis revealed that the injury was not as severe as initially feared. According to a statement from USA Track & Field: "Jones experienced spasms and cramping in her lower back. She is currently undergoing treatment and further examination to determine the full extent of her condition." Go To Page: 1 2 |
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