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Vida powers quartet to gold in
4x100metres
(From Richard Avornyotse, GNA Special Correspondent in
Algiers, Algeria)
Algiers, July 21, GNA - Vida Anim ran a spectacular anchor
leg to help the Ghanaian women's 4x100 metres quartet win
the gold medal in the finals,beating Nigeria in a photo
finish at the tape at the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers,
Algeria.
Anim who could only win a bronze in the 10 metres flat race
beat her Nigerian opponent by 0.01 second.
Ghana returned a time of 43.84 seconds, while the Nigerians
clocked 43.85 seconds to pip Cote d'Ivoire which finished in
third position with a time of 44.48.
There was a bit of drama at the end when the Nigerians
thought they had won after the electronic score board
repeatedly showed the slow motion of the finish.
They jumped and punched the air but went back into their
shells after it was confirmed that Vida had breast the tape
ahead of the girl in green and
white.
Indeed, with about 30 metres to the finishing line, the
Nigerian appeared to be in the lead, but Anim produced a
blistering finish to breast the tape just in time to claim
the gold.
Anim received the baton from Esther Danquah who ran the
third leg and had done well enough to keep a close distance
from the powerful Nigerian.
Mariama Salifu started the race for Ghana in lane six and
proved quite a handful for her challengers as she sprang out
of the blocks and raced past two competitors in front of her
before handing over the baton to Gifty Addy.
Gifty raced well to get into third place before handing the
stick over to Esther at the bend.
And when the queen of Ghana's tracks, Anim accelerated past
her Nigerian opponent and into the lead, the celebrations
began from the stands as the Supporters Group struck their
bands with glee and sang copiously in jubilation.
Ghana failed to make it a double in the 4x100 metres relay
when the male team messed up with baton changing after
racing into contention before the third leg.
In the end, Ghana could only pick a fifth position to end
their reign as defending champions in the event.
GNA
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