Sanya Richards, the US 400m runner has a PB of 48.70s, Christine Ohuruogu from GB has a PB of 49.61s. In the lead up to the 400m final, Sanya Richards implied that Christine shouldn't be in Beijing on account of the 1 year suspension she served for not being available for 3 out-of-competition drug tests, over an 18 month period. Now when I read the article, I thought that Sanya Richards had exhibited her mental frailty by worrying about her competitors when she should have been focusing on herself - Christine backed herself, with good reason.
Christine's 1 year ban meant that she returned to competition in July 2007 and 4 races later, she won gold in Osaka, at the World Athletics Championships, and set a PB in the process - that is what mental fortitude is all about. The BOA (British Olympic Association) have a by-law that states that any athlete who serves a drugs suspension is banned from competing at the Olympics for life - only Britain and Norway have this by-law. Following her gold medal win in Osaka, Christine successfully challenged her Olympic ban and got the green light to compete in Beijing last November as the BOA ruled that she had not sought to deliberately avoid the tests - this assertion was backed up by WADA, UK Athletics and the IAAF. Sanya Richards, despite being the fastest women in the 400m last year, did not compete in Osaka because she came fourth at the US trials - only the first three athletes make the US team. Sanya gained post-Osaka consolation by winning the grand prix jackpot and beating Christine on the European circuit, in one off races at various grand prix meets.
Christine spent the early part of this season running the 200m to hone the first part of her race and focused entirely on peaking in Beijing. Drawn in lane 7, Sanya was running blind, while Christine in lane 4 had Sanya in her sights. While Sanya made her usual blistering start, Christine was content to ensure that Sanya didn't get too far ahead so that by the time she came into the home straight, the gap between Sanya and Christine was considerably reduced. Timing her final surge to perfection, Christine overtook Sanya, who visually deflated and allowed Shericka Williams of Jamaica to pip her to the silver medal.
Christine has won every major championship that she has competed in and she is now Commonwealth, World and Olympic champion.
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