Glory for golden girl Halkia

FANI Halkia of Greece pulled off a stunning upset to win the Olympic Games women’s 400 metres hurdles gold medal in the Olympic Stadium last night.

The 25-year-old recorded the second best ever time in a Games record of 52.82secs, while European champion Ionela Tirlea-Manolache of Romania won silver in 53.38sec and Tetiana Tereshchuk-Antipova of Ukraine took bronze in 53.44sec.

The Greek athlete claimed the scalps of the world record-holder, the world champion and a two-time European champion in a devastating run.

Her personal best was 53.99sec set in July and such is her achievement that her best over 400 metres flat indoors is 52.90sec.

Halkia, who was a virtual unknown coming into the Games but broke the national record and then the Olympic record in successive rounds, came off the bend on an equal footing with world champion Jana Pittman of Australia with the others trailing, including world record-holder Yuliya Pechonkina.

However, Pittman stuck doggedly to her until the penultimate hurdle where the Greek girl surged ahead and from then on it was a fight for the minor places as she put more distance between her and her rivals.

Pittman couldn’t hold on for a medal as the effect of a knee operation a fortnight ago took its toll and she finished fifth while Pechonkina was eighth and last.

Halkia brushed aside queries as to how she could beat such a stellar line-up.

“I have been in excellent form the last three months so my progress has followed a logical path,” she said.

“I am very, very satisfied, as before the Olympics I was sure I could win. I think the Greek soul is so great that it can carry ourselves to victory.”

Pittman was satisfied with her performance as she had only jumped one hurdle in training since her operation before starting in Athens.

“I thought I had it in me but I didn’t have anything in the last 100m,” said the 21-year-old.

“I just ran as fast as I could. Because I know what I am capable of at the end of the day I am proud of making the final and getting back in action in two weeks.

“Of course I am disappointed not to get a medal, it is the first time I have not achieved something I have been aiming for.”

She also paid tribute to the winner.

“It is a pretty beautiful story that the Greek girl won in front of her home crowd.”

Veronica Campbell of Jamaica captured the 200 metres gold medal in 22.05 seconds, the fastest time in the discipline since 1999.

American teenager Allyson Felix won silver, timing a world junior record of 22.18sec, with veteran Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas taking bronze in 22.30sec.

Campbell, the bronze medallist from the 100m, led from start to finish, powering round the bend with only Felix able to stay with her.

But in the last 40 metres there was only one winner as the 22-year-old powered home to give Jamaica their first women’s athletics gold medal since Deon Hemmings took the 400m hurdles in 1996.

Earlier four-time world 110 metres hurdles champion Allen Johnson’s bid to regain his Olympic title ended in disaster when he fell for only the second time in his 13-year career.

The 33-year-old 1996 Olympic champion clipped several of the hurdles in his second round heat but as he desperately tried to make the first three he went on to hit the penultimate one and dived headlong onto the track.

“It was unfortunate but it happens to the best of us,” said the two-time world indoor 60m hurdles champion.

“The Olympics are over for me but I will keep going because I’m the best hurdler in the world.”

Johnson said he would be able to handle the disappointment.

“You always have disappointments. Sydney showed me that (he finished fourth, losing his Olympic title to Anier Garcia). I’ve just got to take it and keep going.”