Hamstrung

  • Share
  • Read Later
ATLANTA: Jackie Joyner-Kersee's bid for an unprecedented third straight heptathlon gold medal ground to a halt when she pulled out after one event Saturday with an injured right hamstring. Joyner-Kersee, who has been bothered by the hamstring injury for months, had the second-fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles. She appeared to re-injure the heavily bandaged hamstring as she jumped over the final hurdle. After a long rain delay between the hurdles and the high jump portion of the competition, Joyner-Kersee, limping badly, pulled out at the urging of her husband and coach Bobby Kersee. "I said, 'Listen here. I'm going to pull you.' She said, "Bobby, no. Don't pull me,'" he said. "Her husband stood up and said, "that's enough. It's time for me to pull you. I'm no longer going to allow you to do this. This isn't a coach-and-athlete thing. This is your husband talking. It's time for you to go.'" The two then sat down, wiping away tears. Syria's Ghada Shouaa, Joyner-Kersee's chief rival for the gold medal, walked over and kissed both her cheeks. Joyner-Kersee might still compete in the long jump, which begins Thursday. Regardless, her spot in Olympic history is secure. "I don't want to call her the grandmother of track and field, but I've heard of Jackie Joyner-Kersee ever since I've been in the sport," said American Jearl Miles, who was in the starting blocks for the 400 meter run when the announcement was made about Joyner-Kersee's withdrawl. "She's someone to look up to and I'm very sorry she can't compete here." -->