'This means the world to me'

DELHI, India:

Newly crowned 100m Common-wealth Games champion Lerone Clarke could barely find words to describe what was undoubtedly the most important 10 seconds of his life.

Clarke sprung out of the blocks and motored down the JN Stadium track in 10.12 seconds to win Jamaica's sixth 100m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, joining Keith Gardner (100 yards - 1958), Donald Quarrie (1970, 1974 and 1978) and Asafa Powell (2006) as Jamaicans who have won the title since the inception of the games.

Unbridled excitement

The former Louisiana State University athlete could not hide his excitement as he ran the entire length of the almost empty stadium to a standing ovation, before finally finding a Jamaican flag, which he waved in unbridled excitement.

"This means the world to me, it's a wonderful experience, it's something that I can't really put in words, it's nothing like I have experienced before, be it college or high school championships, nothing can compare to this," Clarke grinned as he made his way from microphone to microphone, as the off-guard media sought to find out more about this unheralded Jamaican.

With national champion Oshane Bailey being forced to pull out of the final as a precautionary measure after he complained about pulled muscle, and Ramone Bailey forced to do the same, Clarke was well aware that the hopes of his sprint-crazed homeland rested in his strides.

The 29-year-old is, however, very disappointed that Bailey wasn't able to compete and is sure that Jamaica would have seen two medals if the former Calabar athlete was able to take up his lane.

"I really wanted him to run tonight because I know we would have finished first and second, one way or the other; but I'm happy that I was able to do it for the country and I know everyone back home is proud."

Clarke, who finished fourth at the National Senior Championships earlier this year and ran a leg in the heats for Jamaica's gold medal-winning relay team at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, credits his explosive start for the victory, sharing that it is something that he has been working on all week.

Grateful

"From the first round, I've been working on my start because I knew that I had the start over most people," said Clarke. "I did the same thing in the final. I got out of the blocks, kept my cool and ran through the line and I came out a Commonwealth Games champion so I give thanks.

"I always felt good about my chances and I want to thank everyone that supported me. I wanted to do well and I'm very happy that I won," Clarke said.

When asked about his thoughts regarding the absence of fellow Jamaicans sprinters Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt, Clarke responded, "Those are some exceptional athletes but I hope the folks here didn't miss them too much."

- Andre Lowe

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