Foster collapses after hurdles semi

REUTERS
Marion Jones of the US reacts after winning the women's 200 metre final at the World Championships last night. Jones won in 22.39 seconds.

Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

EDMONTON:

JAMAICA'S CELEBRATION at having two runners in the women's 100m hurdles final at the eighth IAAF World Athletics Championships were cut short minutes after the second semi-final inside Commonwealth Stadium last night.

Brigitte Foster, a finalist in the event at last year's Sydney Olympics, collapsed in the mixed zone in front of dozens of journalists.

Dionne Rose-Henley, who ran in the same race and just pipped Foster for fourth spot and a final berth, said her teammate had complained of not feeling well before the starter's gun.

"She first complained before and then after the race that her calf was cramping and I told her to drink a lot of water. Coming up on the ramp I just saw her collapse. She began shaking and her eyes started to turn over. I immediately assisted her by holding up her head then the doctors came and took over," Rose said.

The doctors worked for almost 15 minutes to revive Foster then she was taken away on a stretcher.

She appeared to be resting well on the stretcher before being wheeled away but a medical opinion on her condition was unavailable at press time.

Vonette Dixon and Rose are the surprise finalists in the event. Dixon who had promised on Thursday to remain focused and get to the final did just that by getting fourth in semi-final one won in 12.65 by Bulgaria's Svetla Dimitrova.

In semi-final two the winner was American Gail Devers in 12.56. Rose-Henley clocked 12.77 for fourth to just edge Foster who did 12.78.

Jamaica failed to add to their medal tally last night as Juliet Campbell finished seventh in the women's 200 metres final behind gold medallist Marion Jones of the United States . Jones won in 22.39 beating Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas 22.52. Kellie White, another American took the bronze in 22.56. Campbell's time was 22.99.

Trecia-kaye Smith was eighth in the triple jump final won with a world leading 15.25m by Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva.

Astia Walker who reached the second round of the women's 100 metres here will lead off Jamaica's sprint relay today. The members of the sprint relay team in running order are Merlene Frazer, Beverly McDonald and long jump finalist Elva Goulbourne. Campbell is expected to come in for the final.

Jamaica will run in heat two where they will face Canada, Greece, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Germany and Ivory Coast.

The heats of the women's 4x100m will be run at 3.35 p.m. today with the final set for 6.45 p.m.

Michelle Burgher, Catherine Scott , Sandie Richards and Deon Hemmings will run the heats of the women's 4x400m. Individual silver medallist Lorraine Graham-Fenton and 400m hurdles finalist Debbie AnnParris are likely to come in for tomorrow's final.

The only four fit short sprinters in the Jamaica camp, according to technical leader Dennis Johnson, will run the heats of the men's 4x100m. They are, in running order, Julien Dunkley, Dwight Thomas, Chris Williams and Ricardo Williams.

Today hurdler Mario Watts, Brandon Simpson, Michael Blackwood and Danny McFarlane will run the opening round of the 4x400m.

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