Dexter Lee strikes gold for Jamaica »

Dexter Lee strikes gold for Jamaica

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Dexter Lee (centre) powers towards the finish line to win the boys' 100m final on yesterday's second day of the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. - photo by Anthony Foster

BYDGOSZCZ, Poland:

ON A chilly Wednesday night in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz, Dexter Lee warmed the hearts of Jamaican track and field fans with the nation's first gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships.

Lee, who said, "It (win) makes me feel very good," created history by becoming the first Jamaican sprinter to win the men's 100m event.

He surprised many, but not his coach, Claude Grant, or himself.

"I am not surprised because I knew I could win for a long time," said Lee, who joined Usain Bolt, who won the 200m in 2002, and Michael McDonald, who claimed the 400m in 1994, as Jamaica's only male winners at the World Juniors.

Lee's 10.40 seconds was the slowest ever to win gold at the event but he explained the reason behind the time.

"The conditions were not in our favour, but I just went out there and did my best," said Lee, who joined Bolt as Jamaica's only World Youth and World Junior gold medallists.

Bad first-round heat

Lee, 17, recovered from a bad first-round heat from which he advanced as one of the fastest losers to reach the final where he got off to a flying start.

By the time the field, including his compatriot Yohan Blake, knew what had struck them, Lee had things his way.

Lee, who entered the final as the fourth fastest man, was focused from start to finish.

"I just went out there, stayed relax and executed well because I knew I could win," said Lee.

Now with World Youth and World Junior titles under his belt, the Herbert Morrison student, when asked what was next, replied, "The Olympics."

Lee's coach, Grant, said the hard work had paid off for the sprinter, while emphasising the win was more important than the time.

"It's not about time, it's about execution on the day and he showed the world that he executed well," Grant said.

Blake, who targeted a national record, finished fourth in 10.51 seconds.

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