By Amy Tennery
PARIS (Reuters) – Three-times Olympic gold medallist Gail Devers predicts an end to the 28-year U.S. drought in the women’s 100 metres, as American fans pin their hopes on Sha’Carri Richardson in Paris.
Devers was the last American woman to rightfully claim Olympic gold in the sprint when she picked up her second consecutive title in 1996. Her compatriot Marion Jones won in 2000 but was stripped of her medal over doping.
The ensuing title drought is the longest the U.S. women have endured in the event, as their Jamaican arch-rivals have taken gold in the last four Games after Belarusian Yulia Nestsiarenka won in 2004.
“It’s time. I’ve been waiting for that medal to come back to the United States,” Devers, who also won relay gold in Atlanta, told Reuters. “I think that this is one of the best fields that we’re sending.”
The fastest woman on earth this year, world champion Richardson showed her mental toughness at the U.S. qualifiers as she recovered from rocky starts in the opening heats and semi-final to book her spot at the Olympics.
Devers said Richardson has a lethal combination of determination and physical ability.
“If she gets a great start, oh, you guys are in trouble. If she doesn’t get a great start, oh, you guys are in trouble. Because what she doesn’t do, she does not panic,” said Devers.
“She uses that whole 100 metres to come and get you, one way or the other.”
Richardson and her teammates Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry will benefit from having trained together said Devers, who added that she would urge the Americans to keep their focus despite the glare of the Olympic spotlight.
“When they get to the Games it’s about execution. It’s about executing what you’ve been taught, not about, ‘Oh I want to run this time,'” she said.
Since hanging up her spikes, Devers has been an advocate for athlete wellness and hopes that the competitors of today do not “suffer in silence” as she did. Devers dealt with Graves’ disease during her career and debilitating symptoms caused by Thyroid Eye Disease.
Devers wants athletes to prioritise their well-being as well as the medal race and for the spectators to appreciate their sacrifices.
“Don’t just think about the athletes. Think about what those athletes are going through on and off the track to be able to perform for you and us in the world,” she said.
The opening round of the Olympic women’s 100 metres is set for Friday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in Paris; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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