Rebel on the Track by Zhanna Pintusevich

When Pintusevich (Ukraine) hit the final line beating Marion Jones (US), the stadium was exceedingly quite. The U.S running staffs and fans hardly believed what they just witnessed. It was not until the big sign announcing Pintusevich as the first place runner did the fans cheered for the New World champion.

It was the moment of birth of a new track queen, 29 year old Zhanna Pintusevich.

In Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, Pintusevich (10`82, the best of her records and the best of the season) won the 2001 World Championship gold medal in the 100 finals beating Jones, who challenged for the third gold medal (10`85). Pintusevich had marked 5th place in 1995 and won silver medal in 1997, bronze medal in 1999.

After running 100 meter in the stadium as a ceremony of victory, Pontusevich fell to the track and left the stadium, saying `` I cannot believe that I won. I did my best. Now I am too exhausted to continue the ceremony. ``

In the semis, Pintusevich also won Jones (10 second 95) with the 10 second 94; and her starting response time was the fastest record of 0.123 second while that of Jones was 0.146 second.

Although Jones was confident about her third victory, she had to give up her forty -second victory that has been continued since the 100 in Athens (1997).

The U.S’s dream of the uninterrupted fourth victory in the 100 that started from 1993 by Jale Divas is also over. Jones said, `` I am very disappointed. I felt the energy seeping out of me all of a sudden during the race. But I will do my best in the 200 race. ``

In Woman’s pole-vaulting, Stacy Dragila (US) who preserves the world record (4m81) has beaten Russian rival Svetlana Feofanova and succeeded in second victory in a row.

Jonathan Edwards of Britain won the triple jump with 17m92 and regained the crown of the world championship; he preserves the world record of 18m29.

Anard Moncur of the Bahamas won the first major 400 title in 44`64. Ousredis Menendez (Cuba) won the first javelin title with 69m53.

Yang Jong-Koo yjongk@donga.com