Tamsyn Lewis does it for Australia.
A year ago I wrote about being happy that Lewis may finally realise her ability and that maybe she was becoming a true professional athlete. Well today in Valencia, Spain, she delivered. Lewis ran a tactically sound race to win the Women's 800m title, an outcome that would finally provide her with a medal on the World stage and Gold to boot.
There has never ever been any doubt about this Aussie's talent however there were always questions about her commitment to the sport. Yesterday we wrote about the human spirit on display through the performances in the Women's pentathlon 800m and yet again we have a celebration of the human spirit, all thanks to Tamsyn Lewis.
The race itself was tactical and it was almost as though the field was overawed by the legendary presence of Maria Mutola. The Mozambique athlete dominated affairs at the head of the field at a pace that suited her and it was not until the home country's representative Mayte MartÃnez (winner of Osaka 2007 800m bronze) attempted to go round the athletes on the backstraight with 350 to go, that Lewis shot through the inside past Mutola in the process sparking race favourite Ukraine's Tetiana Petlyuk to bolt off; immediately gapping the field with Lewis chasing and the Spaniard in 3rd approaching the bell.
Down the back straight the powerful Mutola went past Martinez into 3rd and looked to be making the quickest progress round the last bend. Coming into the home straight Lewis switched to attack down the straight and incredibly with great gusto (provided by way of "Come on Tamsyn" from my side) she took the race. Much to her dismay, shock, bewilderment and add your own words for totally unexpected, the Aussie grabbed Gold.
Her delight carried her all the way through the medal ceremony and who doubts late into the night, Valencia is a nice place to Tamsyn afterall.
Lewis said that she couldn't believe that she had won.
Oh my God, I'm just waking up. This is such a good surprise, I was wondering what I was doing out there. Then I realised that I could win the race. This is amazing, I still can't believe it," said Lewis.
And why my enthusiasm, well yet again this was an example of what can be achieved by sticking to the task at hand through out one's life. Too often we give up along the way, not realising that perseverance if also rewarded quite often
Life may be about the journey however the rewards along the way do make it sweeter
