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You are in: Special Events: 2001: World Athletics |
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Friday, 10 August, 2001, 20:33 GMT 21:33 UK
Malcolm misses out as Kederis triumphs
Blanket finish: Malcom, Kederis and Williams
Christian Malcolm just failed to claim Britain's third medal of the World Athletics Championships in a thrilling 200m final in Edmonton.
The gold went to Olympic champion Konstadinos Kederis of Greece, who was a clear winner in 20.04sec. But there was a blanket finish for the rest of the field - and Malcom was denied a medal by just two one-hundredths of a second.
A photo finish was needed to determine the places and it left the Welshman in fifth spot.
Christopher Williams of Jamaica was second in 20.20sec. And the finish was so close that even after a long delay the judges were unable to separate the next two athletes. So Shawn Crawford of the US and Kim Collins of St Kitts were both awarded bronze medals for running exactly the same time as Williams. Britain's second finallist, Marlon Devonish, crossed the line in eighth place in 20.38 - just behind the pack. As the sprinters entered the closing stages, Malcolm was still in with a chance of victory. But Kederis began to pull away - and the next six athletes lunged for the line in one movement. To the naked eye it was impossible to determine who had claimed the minor placings, but the photo finish showed Malcolm had just missed out.
But he failed to live up to expectations in the final and after a disappointing run he was left with nothing. The glory instead went to Kederis, who proved his surprise Olympic win at Sydney last year was no fluke. And silver medallist Williams acknowledged how impressive the Greek runner had been. "Finally it has happened to me - I've shown my true ability but there is still a hell of a gap between the winner and the rest of us," said the Jamaican. Malcolm was cruelly upstaged by Crawford and Collins, who both beat their previous best times for the event. "I'm delighted with bronze," said a beaming Crawford. "When I looked up at the screen to watch the finish I thought I might end up sharing it with three others."
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