SZCZECIN, Poland: Jamaica’s former 100 meters world record holder Asafa Powell continued his impressive form since finishing out of the medals at the Olympics as he eased home here yesterday.
The 25-year-old recorded a time of 9.89 seconds - his seventh successive time under 9.90sec since finishing fifth in the Olympic final - in pretty terrible weather conditions.
American Mike Rodgers finished second in 10.23sec while Andrew Hinds of Barbados was third in 10.41sec.
Cash and honors for
Kenya’s heroine Jemilo
In Nairobi, Kenya’s Olympic 800m gold medalist Pamela Jelimo was rewarded by the government for her Beijing exploits yesterday with a 2.5 million shillings ($35,000) cash bonus.
The teenage sensation and IAAF Golden League million-dollar jackpot winner arrived home to a rousing reception to be met by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
As well as the cash reward Kibaki gave her a one million-shilling life insurance cover.
Odinga saluted the 18-year-old police constable for bringing glory to the nation and urged her not to relent as she embarked on her athletic career.
“She has made Kenya proud. She has made all the women and girls in the country proud by becoming the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal,” Odinga said.
“Her achievements are a testament that the young people of this country are capable.”
Jelimo told reporters: “I was doing my best to represent my country and I thank God because I have done it well and I share my joy and glory with all Kenyans today.”
