Jamaica Sweeps All Sprint Events With Campbell-Brown's Gold Haul In Women's 200

Beijing, China (AHN) - Jamaica completed a sweep of all the four sprint events in the Olympics when Veronica Campbell-Brown took the gold in the 200-meter sprint Thursday night at the Bird's Nest.

Campbell-Brown defended her Olympic title by crossing the finish line in 21.74 seconds, a full two-body length ahead of American Allyson Felix, who came in 21.93 seconds for the silver. Another Jamaican, Kerron Stewart, won the bronze with a time of 22.00 seconds.

The victory capped earlier wins by Usain Bolt in the men's 100 and 200, and despite Campbell-Brown's stunning exit in the women's 100, her compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser, saved the day for the tiny Caribbean island.

Campbell-Brown had failed to defend her 100 title but poured it all on to retain the 200, becoming the first woman to keep back-to-back titles since 1980. Jamaica's sweep also duplicated the last achievement in the sport, when the United States did it in 1988.

Felix, the silver medalist in Athens four years ago, came up short in Beijing after beating Campbell-Brown in the world championships last year.

Her defeat is the latest among American world champions who have been denied victories in the Olympics. That list includes Tyson Gay, Bernard Lagat, Brad Walker, Reese Hoffa, Lolo Jones and Sanya Richards.