With three silver medals dangling in front chest, legendary Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry finally won her first the Olympic gold, or in her words, "the cherry on top", with a stunning record-breaking performance at women's 200m backstroke race Saturday morning at Beijing Olympics.
"I'm so thrilled. I'm about to throw up. I'm excited to hear the national anthem play and for everyone back home to hear it."
"It was a painful race and my legs hurt a bit. It was my last race and I wanted to give it everything. Getting the gold medal is the cherry on top," Coventry said after the race.
Prior to the race, Coventry already bagged three silver medals at the Beijing Games. She lost to Australian versatile Stephanie Rice both in 200m and 400s individual medley and was beaten by American veteran Natalie Coughlin in the women's 100m backstroke.
"It is a little heartbreaking," Coventry said. "I don't take any thing away from the silver medal. It's such an accomplishment at the Olympics. But I am definitely going for the gold at the backstroke."
"That gold medal is going to be hanging over my lane every time I get into swim," said Coventry.
The thirst then turned to strength in race.
With a solid start, Coventry managed to lead off the field and touched the wall with half body length advantage at 2:05.24, shaving the world record 0.85 seconds, and 0.99 seconds faster than the world record holder Margaret Hoelzer from the United States who finished second.
"It is such a relief, I am so excited. I am thrilled with the time. I'm swimming fast. From the feeling of wanting to throw up, I think I've done it," Coventry said.
Japanese Reiko Nakamura, who made her first final at the Olympic event, registered third with a new Asian record of 2:07.13.
Along with three medals won in Athens, including one gold, one silver and one bronze, Coventry, by herself, placed her country on the Olympic swimming medal table.
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. Many new babies were named Kirsty, with the middle name of Coventry, in her honor, 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.
(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)