A delighted Ladji Doucouré of France celebrates winning gold in the 110m Hurdles (© Getty Images)
As the Marseillaise played over the public address system the man with the gold medal around his neck stared at the French flag rising above the Helsinki Olympic stadium and he nodded in time with the music.
The real satisfaction is beating the Olympic champion
Ladji Doucouré had fulfilled his dream and was oblivious to the celebratory mood of his countrymen. A look of satisfaction covered his face. But most of us will never know if he can sing.
That Doucouré had ended Allen Johnson’s bid to win a fifth consecutive World title was not exactly surprising. Johnson has not fared as well this year as in previous and Doucoure had beaten him in the Paris TDK Golden League. But beating the Olympic champion Liu Xiang was more so.
“I can not tell you just how long I have been dreaming of this. This victory is the result of a lot of hard work, and also a lot of support from people who had believed in me," said the 22-year-old Frenchman.
"I had a bad start but after the fourth hurdle I picked up my race and went straight to the finish line. I wanted to confirm that I could run very fast. I am not necessarily the best but I was the best today."
Doucouré ran a world leading 12.97 seconds in Angers and also recorded 13.00 seconds to win in Oslo. Still, not everyone took him seriously. There are three rounds to get through and Doucouré had a spotty record most notably in Athens a year ago when he won his semi-final heat in a French national record of 13.06 seconds. In the final though he stumbled and wound up 8th in 13.76, as Liu Xiang equalled Colin Jackson’s World record of 12.91.
Combined Eventer turned Hurdler
There are similarities he shares with women’s 100m Hurdles champion Michelle Perry. Like Perry he was once a multi-eventer and won the French national Decathlon title four years ago, and is also the former European Junior champion. And when he focused totally on the hurdles he has risen to the top.
After the customary press conference last night there was no time for celebration unfortunately. He went directly to doping control and spent a couple of hours inside the facility.
“It took a long time because he drank a little bit too much water and had to do it twice,” said his agent Esther Koelmel. “He didn’t leave until well after midnight. And there was no celebration because he is running the relay Saturday.”
“He was surprised with the gold medal. We were surprised because there were four or five athletes that could win.”
Charitable gift
A popular personality in France - he was Athlete of the Year last year - he is good friends with Thierry Henry the French football star. And he has a reputation for being generous to people. After false starting in Paris-St Denis last season he did not feel right keeping his appearance money and so donated it to the children of his club Viry Evry Nord Sud Esonne.
Surprising as his victory was last night it is clear that he belongs at the top and at such a young age he is capable of remaining there for a very long time.
Paul Gains for the IAAF
