(From left) Jason Livermore, Rasheed Dwyer and Warren Weir round the bend in the final of the men’s 200m inside Hampden Park at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)
By Sean Williams - Jamaica Observer
GLASGOW, Scotland — To have done it once, was an amazing thing. But twice in one tournament, is nothing short of miraculous.
Like their female counterparts in the 400m two nights ago at this very place — Hampden Park — Jamaica's 200m men's team swept the medals last night. And the Scottish people revelled in the success of the Jamaicans as if it were their very own.
Again, Jamaican athletes have illuminated this sleepy city. And to think that Usain Bolt is yet to appear.
The team of Rasheed Dwyer (20.14 seconds), Warren Weir (20.26) and Jason Livermore (20.32) rewrote the history books. This sweep has never been done at these games.
But two years ago at the London Olympics Bolt streaked to gold, with Yohan Blake finishing a fast second for silver and Warren Weir battling with a late surge to clinch bronze for that domination.
It seems to be becoming a habit for these fleet-footed Jamaicans.
Dwyer, the World University Games gold medal winner in 2011, was beside himself when he spoke with reporters.
"Words cannot explain how I am feeling right now," he said, shaking his head from side to side, and a face that wouldn't lose its smile.
With his sweat not yet dry after a fine evening's work, Dwyer already was looking ahead.
"I am now Commonwealth Games champion and I know this is going to be a stepping stone to my career," he said.
Not that he was only fast peeling away at the bend, but the 25-year-old thought the technical application was up to scratch.
"I was sceptical at the start because they held us a little too long, but I just kept my focus and executed as my coach taught me," Dwyer noted.
The elder of the sweep and perhaps the man most expected to have won gold here, was second best on the night. Like every one of the Jamaicans, he wanted top prize.
"I am disappointed, but a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, I can't complain," said Weir, the Moscow World Championships 4x100m gold medallist.
But he found comfort in another rare one-two-three.
"It is wonderful the way we dominate the sprints and to one-two-three shows that we are dominant... I know that I am not where I want to be, but I am not going to find excuses, I am just going to go back to the drawing board, so whether the season continues or not, I am just going to take this as a lesson and move on," Weir noted.
Livermore dedicated his bronze medal to his ailing coach Michael Clarke.
"I am heartbroken that my coach (Michael Clarke) was not here to see me tonight, but this medal goes out to him," he said, clearly saddened by the absence of his long-time mentor.
