SPORTS

Kareem begins Athens stretch run with a win in Belgium

Kareem Streete-Thompson

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Kareem Streete-Thompson began his drive for an Olympic medal with a big win in the 100m sprint at the KBC All-Star Night of Athletics on Saturday evening in Heusden, Belgium. Streete-Thompson leaned in for a photo finish win over Mardy Scales (USA, World #29) while also besting Dwight Thomas (Jamaica, World #19) and Freddy Mayola (Cuba, World #29). Also in the IAAF Grand Prix II event final 100m field was 4-time Olympic medalist Frankie Fredericks and Australian speedster Patrick Johnson, whose time of 9.93 seconds was one of the top times in 2003.

Kareem noted: “My winning time of 10.30s may not impress, but running into a headwind slowed us all up. The great news is that my ability to kick it up a gear and accelerate over the last 40 metres is finally there again. The ability to run down the field or remain in front of a race was what made me a threat back in 1997 when I ran 9.96s. While it obviously is a positive sign for Athens, it is just as important to win against a quality field.”

Race favourite Frankie Fredericks was disqualified for false starting after Streete-Thompson created the first false start that was charged to the entire field. While Streete-Thompson would not admit this was part of his race strategy, he noted: “Sometimes it’s healthy to have everyone a little bit on edge.” He continued: “I feel that my sprint training with Coach Dan Pfaff since November of last year, together with my race experience in 2004 has finally put me in a position that I am extremely comfortable to compete under any condition.”

In a phone interview via Cable & Wireless, Kareem added: “I just heard that Dr Frank McField has offered to name a new park in South Sound after any athlete that wins an Olympic medal. I know that Cydonie looks very good right now, and I wonder what Dr. McField will do if two Cayman athletes win Olympic medals?”

Kareem finished his interview with the following insight. “I am really looking forward to Athens. I have the 100m event at the very beginning of the athletics competition and then significant time to rest before the long jump at the end of the same week. There will be absolutely zero pressure on me for the 100m and I will definitely not be on anyone’s radar screen. I certainly like the way events are unfolding.”

Back...