Spectators at the Bird's Nest in Beijing were treated to a dramatic conclusion to the women's javelin competition on Thursday. In the end, Barbora Špotáková snared the gold from the teeth of the competition. The athlete, who competes for the Czech Republic, formerly wore the maroon and gold of the University of Minnesota. In the fourth of six rounds, Maria Abakumova sent the javelin 70.78 meters, establishing a European record and increasing her lead over Špotáková, whose best stood at 69.22. Not to be outdone, Špotáková launched her final throw 71.42 meters. Abakumova had one more chance to reclaim the lead, but could not surpass her previous mark.
"It's like a miracle for me," said Špotáková, "a fulfilled dream."
The dramatic win recalled the 1988 men's javelin competition, in which Jan Zelezny, Špotáková's coach, was defeated in the final throw of the competition by Tapio Korjus of Finland.
Life in Minnesota was difficult for Špotáková, according to Sean Jenson of the Pioneer Press. She dealt with injury, struggled with classes, clashed with her coach, and missed her family. The good news? She gave up the heptathlon and focused on the javelin when she returned to the Czech Republic.
With her final throw, she took that silver lining and turned it into gold.
The IAAF story can be found HERE.
The Pioneer Press story on the competition is HERE.
The Star Tribune sums things up HERE.
Complete results are HERE.
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