Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe reacts after finishing the women's 200m backstroke at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe broke the world record of the event.
(Xinhua Photo)
DEFENDING champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe grabbed her first Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games with a world record swim in the women's 200 metres backstroke final on Saturday, after a week of silver medals.
Coventry, 24, took a big lead and claimed a new world record of two minutes 05.24 seconds beating the previous record of 2:06.09 held by American Margaret Hoelzer.
"I'm so thrilled. The plan was to go in and put everything on the line and see what I have to go home with," Coventry said.
"I'm excited to hear the national anthem play and for everyone back home to hear it."
Coventry said it was painful race for her but it was her last race in the Beijing campaign.
"It's awesome. It was painful and my legs hurt a bit. It was my last race here and I wanted to give it everything.
"Getting the gold medal is the cherry on the top and it's such a relief."
Coventry won the 200m backstroke crown in Athens, but had run up three silver medal finishes in Beijing in the 100m backstroke and the 200 and 400m medleys.
"I'm very happy to improve from bronze to silver from the 100, but Kirsty had an amazing race," Hoelzer said.
"It was a big response from Kirsty and I'd like to think we bring out the best in each other."
Seven of the total eight Olympic medals Zimbabwe collected at all games were won by the legend, which were also the first individual Olympic medals in Zimbabwe's history.
Coventry grew up in Zimbabwe and her parents and many relatives are still living in Zimbabwe. But the swimmer herself has been studying and training in the United States over the years.
When she returned to Zimbabwe after the Athens, she was hailed as a national treasure.
Reports say many new babies were named Kirsty, with the middle name of Coventry, in her honour, while others were even called 'Goldmedal' or 'Threemedals'.
"I'm so proud and honored to be representing Zimbabwe here. Everyone back home was so excited and so supportive of me coming into my race," Coventry said, "For my family and friends it means so much to see me here and to hear the national anthem play."
"My family is finally here, which is really important," Coventry said.
Zim Guardian/Xinhua
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READER OPINIONS
colleen • na. Subject: the fact is that.... Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:19:03 • Omugabe's comments are exactly those which put any whites off ever returning to Zimbabwe and investing their expertise in the land of their birth.
n/a • n/a Subject: n/a Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:50:32 • One cannot always stay in good form if one is an athlete. And the same applies to those who dabble in politics. One is bound to make a gaffe here and there and this is what Omugabe has done regarding comments he has made on Kirsty Coventry! I think she is a great Zimbo sportswoman since the golden girls who won hockey gold in Moscow! If only all whites in Zim were like Kirsty who has stood by her country every day and every hour refusing to be tricked by the Bri-tits and Ameri-cons into defecting to their camp like they managed to do to the Bennets, Coltarts, Kays et al, then we shouldnt be having problems in our country. But unfortunately no, that is not the case, and hence when everything is taken into context, Omugabe is not entirely wrong but can be guilty of generalising the black/white - race issue. There are some fine white Zimbo exceptions like our 'BELOVED' Kirsty, Dr Stamps, Beddows etc etc. A gaffe is a gaffe and I think Omugabe knows he has made one.Even MT made a big one when he sought protection from a european embassy whilst giving a wide berth to those of his best friends in Africa like Sarah Mariah Khama, Levy Mwanawafa, Yadhura Y'Ardua etc. Haikona kubatisisa one mistake imi muchingoti word rega rega ramatyper munenge muchikanya nekurumbidza utengesi!
MADE OF THE WHITE STUFF • na. Subject: WE NEED SPONSORS! Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:56:40 • My son asked me why there was not a kayaking team sent to the Olympics from the Zambezi River?
Shearwater must think seriously about sending in a team for the next Olympics.
Our kayaking sons are black and white and if they can do the Zambezi safely with all those crocs and rocks and hipp and elephant they could easily outdo many other world kayakers. Find a sponsor, Shearwater, and give them a chance please!
arcadia • docjoj@hotmail.com Subject: Coventry Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:21:10 • omugabe, you are a bitter, foolish individual, full of hate and anger. You are so blinded by racism, I pity you. Kirsty Coventry is a national treasure, whether you care to acknowledge that, or not. You are no better than the colonialists who looked down upon the indigenous Zimbabweans; your brand of racism is just as pathetic and it's attitudes like yours that have contributed to the fall of Zimbabwe.
ian smith • ismith@yahoo.com Subject: Kirsty for sports ministry Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:41:16 • Kirsty must be given ministerial post for sports because she has archieved no other zimbabwean has archieved, she understand sports and would have a great influence to a lot of young people. whats the point of giving sports ministry to ex-combatants or old fat belly man who never participated in any kind of sport?.Their interest is just to fly first class to these games, look at the state decay of sport in the country? These Zanu-pf thieves and cronis like Omugabe are a disastor to national progression. This idiot's mails should not be published please, he is the most misconcepted idiot!.
JM • basopmugae@hotmail.com Subject: DZIVA NONSENSE Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:34:41 • MR Editor ........ why do you allow nonsense racist talk form people like DZIVA to air on your website I am dissapointed because it is pathetic ......... Kirsty is a Zim champion and she represents so enuff respect to her ......... let us forget all this rascist rabble to spoil things
Gerard Meur • gerard.meur@free.fr Subject: Kirsty Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:13:08 • I saw her interview at Eurosport TV.
She's a great champion and she had to work hard to stay at the top.
I wish it might give hope to Zimbabwe people of any origin.
Omugabe • Dziva@sanandresano.com Subject: Look Inward & Look East for Self-development, Zim Patriots! Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:23:28 • Who cares!
Gwagwa, wake the hell up!
YOUR so-called Zim 'dark hour' is caused by the same devilish invaders you wish to laud.
Unlike your kind, Zim Patriots are ALWAYS in the 'light days' of Zimbabwe; because Zim Patriots have clear vision of African Self-determination, Self-development, Self-sufficiency and Self-reliance to guide their path to the Peace, Prosperity and Progress that will make the ancestors proud.
It is because un-alert minds like yours keep lauding, encouraging and strengthening your racist European enemies that you will continue to have YOUR 'dark days' in Zimbabwe.
It is only the achievements of AFRICANS that will lift Zimbabwe, and Africa.
Those are the achievements you should seek out and laud among Zim Patriots!
Arthur Gwagwa • arthurgwagwa@yahoo.com Subject: Symbol of hope Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:04:27 • Kirsty stands as a relentless flame of hope in this dark hour our country is going through.
Her patriotism to Zimbabwe should a be a reminder to us all that we must strive to build relations that transcend racial and political diffrences.
Keep it up Kirsty, we all have a deep and abiding platonic affection for you. God bless you.
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