U.S. female sprinters glad to be peaking at right time

DAEGU, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) - The leading U.S. female sprinters said Thursday that they are in good shape heading into the World Championships in Athletics, which start this weekend, and are ready to stare down their rivals from Jamaica.
Speaking at a press conference, Sanya Richards-Ross, the defending 400-meter and 4x400節? world champion, and Carmelita Jeter, the world 100節? bronze medalist in 2009, predicted another close battle with Jamaica.
Richards-Ross said this year's event, which starts Saturday for a nine-day run, will be "one of the most exciting women's sprint championships we have seen in a long time."
"I have an amazing coach (Clyde Hart) and I knew he would figure it out sooner or later," Richards-Ross said, speaking of their recent training in Texas. "I am really excited to be peaking at the right time."
The U.S. and Jamaican female runners engaged in a memorable duel in the sprint events at the 2009 championships in Berlin. The U.S. took first in the 200 meter and 400m, while Jamaica won the 100節?, 100節? hurdles and 400節? hurdles. Jamaica was the 4x100節? relay champion, and the U.S. captured the 4x400節? title.



This year promises to be nearly as exciting. American Allyson Felix, the three-time defending 200節? world champ, is trying to become the first woman to pull off a 200節? and 400節? double at the worlds. Jeter who was third in the 100節? behind two Jamaicans in Berlin, is seeking titles in the 100節? and 200節?. Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica will look to spoil Jeter's chase for the two medals.
Connie Price-Smith, a U.S. coach, said her runners were ready to go out and battle, and that she couldn't wait for the competition to start.
Jeter said though the U.S. and Jamaica are the world's two greatest sprint powers, there are runners from other countries that they must beat.
Felix echoed the sentiment, saying "great competitors" in the 200節? and 400節? will make her pursuit "extremely difficult."
Felix will also be faced with a daunting schedule, having to run six races in seven days starting with the first round of the 400m on Saturday. She is also after a back-to-back 4x400節? relay title and may even run in the 4x100節?, too.
Felix hasn't been on the top of her game, ranking fourth in the 400節? this year and sixth in the 200節?.
"It is the challenge of the schedule. I am not world leading in any of the events, and I know it will be tough," Felix said. "I don't lose in my mind. Now it's about putting it all together. I am in it to win it, but it will be OK if it doesn't end up that way."
U.S. male sprinters, on the other hand, will have a tough time against their Jamaican rivals. Tyson Gay, the second-fastest 100節? runner this year, is sidelined with a hip injury. Mike Rodgers, another sprinter, has been suspended following a failed drug test.