Stephanie Brown Trafton pulled off the biggest upset of the Olympic Track and Field Program so far by winning the discus, and giving the U.S. it's first T&F gold medal of the games.
Brown Trafton Delivers Unlikely First U.S. Gold in Beijing
An hour later, Angelo Taylor added to the U.S. medal tally by leading a sweep in the 400m hurdles.
The 28-year-old Brown Trafton is an unlikely champion. She was third in the U.S. Olympic Trials, and only made the finals here on her last throw in the qualifying round. although she competed in Athens, she had never qualified for a World Championship meet before. However, she has been having a solid, if unspectacular season, and earlier this summer threw a career best 66.17 (third best in the world this year). But I think it's a safe bet that Brown Trafton, who works half time to support her habit of throwing a metal plate long distance, wasn't receiving a lot of aid or sponsorship money.
Brown Trafton didn't seem fazed to be at the Olympics. She won the discus on her first throw - 64.74, which stood up through six rounds. It was the first gold medal in the discus for a U.S. woman in 76 years.
After she won, all she wanted to do was meet former gymnast Mary Lou Retton. I wonder if Brown Trafton will also get her picture on a Wheaties Box?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
After the shotput flop, this is a news is even sweeter. Discus is a beautiful event.
Post a Comment