Jehue Gordon will try to settle his nerves today when he takes on the world’s best in the 400 metres hurdles final at the Olympics Games in London, England. “I know T&T is behind me 100 percent. I just want to thank them for the support,” said Gordon ahead of his first Olympic final which will be at 8.45 pm (3.45 pm T&T time) at Olympic Stadium. “I am going to again concentrate on my lane and have fun.” In his first appearance at the premier sporting event, the 2010 world junior champion qualified for the final, clocking a personal and season’s best time of 47.96 seconds, to break the national record. Gordon lines up against USA’s T&T-born Kerron Clement, who joined American Edwin Moses and Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez in 2009 as the only men ever to win the world 400m hurdles title twice, with all three accomplishing the feat in consecutive years.

Clement advanced as one of the fastest losers in a season’s best 48.12 so did Briton David Greene. His time was 48.19. Sanchez, too will go for gold in the event, along with Angelo Taylor and Michael Tinsley, both of the USA, Jamaican Leford Green and Javier Culson of Puerto Rico. Sanchez qualified with fastest time of 47.76, a season’s best, followed by Culson (47.93), Taylor (47.95) and Gordon, respectively. Taylor’s time was also his season’s best. Before that though in the morning session, Cleopatra Borel will be in action in group A of the Women’s shot put qualifying round from 10.45 am (5.45 am T&T time). Borel, who is competing at her third Olympics, will aim to go past her best throw this season of 18.69, working to progress to final round to get a chance at a medal. She has a personal best toss of 19.48, done in 2004.

“It’s been a lot of hard work but I am happy to be here. I see myself doing well and scoring well,” shared Borel. She too was very appreciative of the support from the national community. “This is the first time we can be in contact with people at home with our friends and family at home through the social media so it’s a new and different experience. “I like the fact that I can hear from people daily. We really appreciate all the support from back home.” Five minutes after the start of Borel’s event, Semoy Hackett and Kai Selvon will go for glory in the Women’s 200m. Hackett will run in heat two while Selvon competes in heat four.

By Rachael Thompson-King

Source: www.guardian.co.tt