Ready, set, gold!

By Shim Hyun-chul

Halfway through the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 some athletes have celebrated while others have suffered in a string of unexpected circumstances.

The athletes competing in more than one event, such as sprint sensation Usain Bolt, still have the chance to stand on the podium and perhaps retrieve their reputations.

Bolt saw his 100-meter gold dream shattered after a false-start on the second day of the events Sunday. Shocking at first but the world record holder who is joyful by nature seems to have put the incident behind him and remains focused on training to defend another world title in the 200 meters as well as gain a victory in the 4x100-meter relay.

For Carmelita Jeter of the United States, the Daegu meet has been incredible so far as she held off a strong field to claim gold in the women’s 100m on Monday.

The two-time bronze medalist in the previous biennial championships seized victory over defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica. Such is expected to boost Jeter’s confidence in her remaining events, the 200 meters and 4x100 relays.

Dedication, enthusiasm, and passion are perhaps what make the proud athletes endure and such spirit is expected to continue to the very end of the championships.