Williams Mills

After waiting with bated breath for the start of the women's 400-metre final yesterday, their television screens suddenly went blank. It was a power outage.

Relatives of Novlene Williams-Mills, along with residents of the small farming community of Gravel Hill, St Ann, missed out on the opportunity of watching their superstar compete in the one-lap event.

"I spent most of the morning planting peas with my husband on our little farm. I left him in the field and hurried home to watched the race. I was there with my son, his wife and my grandchildren. The rain was falling heavily and just as the race was about to start, the light went. I was very disappointed," said Larose Williams, Novlene's mother.

Novlene ran a season-best 49.77 seconds to finish fourth behind the United States' Sanya Richards, Jamaica's Shericka Williams and Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka.

Braced for the event

Despite the heavy downpour, the community folks had braced themselves for the event, some were at home while others chose to watch it from the bar.

"I was hoping that she would have won a medal, but the fact that she reached the final made me very proud. It is not over and we are still praying for her to win a medal in the relay," said Mrs Williams.

She described the former Ferncourt High student as quiet and friendly and always willing help.

"We are very close, she never leaves me out. Novlene is always there for me. Each time she calls, the first thing she would ask is if I am all right," commented Mrs Williams.

Novlene's brother, Glenmore Williams, was also disappointed after cutting his day short and rushing from his farm to watch the race with his mother. He was, nonetheless, very proud.

"Although she did not win a medal, her performance made me feel proud," said Williams.