|
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 meters 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 prioritize 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 meters is set for
Friday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in Paris; Editing by Bill Berkrot) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely
responsible for this content. |
|
