Gail Devers fails to qualify for the 100m Hurdles final (© Getty Images)
Paris, France36year old Gail Devers, a three-time world champion at the discipline failed to qualify for the final of the 100m Hurdles tonight.
Running in the first of three semi finals, Devers had an average start – by her standards that is - hit the fourth obstacle and then gradually lost her typical strenuous rhythm between the hurdles.
She finished third of her race in 12.87 behind Perdita Felicien of Canada (12.68) and Lacena Golding-Clarke of Jamaica (12.84) who took the only two automatic qualifying positions.
“I just hit the fourth [hurdle] and lost my tempo,” said Devers while quickly leaving the track. “It’s no longer in my hands now.”
Devers still had a very little hope that she might be one of the two fastest losers and therefore advance to the final but unfortunately she didn’t have to wait long to be given the negative response.
Indeed, the first four athletes (Foster, McKelvy, Trywianska and Alozie) in the second semi final ran faster than Devers, Spain’s Glory Alozie taking the last qualifying spot with her 12.81 clocking.
Maybe Devers felt the fatigue of the four rounds she had to run to make the final of the 100m, in which she finished last in a season’s best 11.11.
Maybe Devers should have concentrated her energy on the hurdles, a discipline she has dominated for the past several years.
But Devers is known to be a true competitor and her two Olympic gold medals at 100 metres certainly prove it.
The USA’s chances for gold in the final are far from being lost though as both Miesha McKelvy and Jenny Adams advanced to the next round.
Adams, who won her race in 12.78 was the most impressive cutting her effort well before the finish line.
“I am very pleased,” said Adams. I wanted to secure one of the two qualifying spots and I did it well. I am very surprised that Gail didn’t make it to the final but I just have to focus on myself.
“I am feeling great, I feel like it’s all coming together.”
For the first time in the history of the IAAF World Championships nine athletes will line up for the final of the 100m Hurdles as two athletes were tied in second in the third semi final.
Vonette Dixon of Jamaica and Patricia Girard of France were both timed in 12.85 and therefore will both advance to the final. The local crowd was delighted to the news of one of their ‘girls’ making it to the final after double European Indoor champion Linda Ferga was disqualified for false starting in heat one.
This may well be the so much awaited chance to be on the highest step of the podium for Jamaican record holder Brigette Foster.
Foster who is the fastest performer this year with 12.45 finished second behind Devers more than half a dozen times last season.
Or this may well be the chance for outsider Perdita Felicien of Canada – see other story – to finally shine.
