by Larry EderAnytime, anytime one bets against Lauryn Williams, take the bet. If anyone this year has epitomized the gutty, come from behind, out of the rafters, hard working athlete, it is Lauryn Williams. But, when you look at her career, you get a sense of…this is just how she works!
I remember the hundred final in Osaka like it was yesterday. While in my heart, I was hoping that Lauryn Williams got a medal, any medal, I knew it was going to be tough. Veronica Campbell of Jamaica was really on her game. Christine Aron of France, the most talented sprinter in Europe, was actually running to her talent level. Kim Gaevert of Belgium was also on her game. And then, there was Torri Edwards and Carmelita Jeter. Well, I am sorry Carmalita, I did not figure you for a medal either! I really blew that one!
But, during this monumental hundred meters, something wonderful happened. Something amazing happened. Just like they had done in the rounds, Williams and Jeter were running up to snuff and actually, around sixty meters, the race began to change. Campbell was in trouble. Williams had taken a small lead, and Campbell used all of her amazing talent and experience and leaned at the tape! But, so did Williams and so did Jeter!
In the stadium, I thought it was Williams, then Campbell, then Edwards. I had totally missed Jeter until the replay! The results changed three times, before Veronica Campbell got her recognition, and Lauryn Williams the 2005 Helsinki gold medalist, the 2004 Silver medalist, took a silver in 2007, in a year when most thought she might not even make the finals!
I like watching Lauryn run because she is the little engine that could, or should. Williams has guts, pride and conditioning, and she demands the best out of herself and she has one heck of a sense of timing!
For 2008, I will take any bets on Ms. Williams. She is a sprinter of rare determination and she and her coach sure know how to peak! With Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, Carmalita Jeter in the U.S. sprints next year, as well as Torri Edwards and the typical Olympic year suprises, U.S. sprint fortunes are looking way up!
