Three times the charm for Allyson Felix. After successive silver medals at the previous two Olympics, the American glided her way to the elusive gold in the 200 meters of the London Games, and the 26-year-old could not have been happier to finally realize the dream she has been carrying for eight long years.
Felix won the race in 21.88 seconds, from Jamaican Kelly-Ann Fraser-Price, who took silver after finishing .21 seconds behind the winner, and compatriot Carmelita Jeter, who took bronze. Veronica Campbell-Brown, who denied Felix the gold in the last two Olympic Games in Athens and Beijing, could only manage fourth.
"It's been a long time coming. I am so overjoyed," an overjoyed Felix said.
"I thought back to the disappointment in Beijing, it's been a long road, I never wanted to give up.
"I've wanted it for so long. This moment is really priceless."
Felix broke down in tears four years ago, after narrowly losing to her Jamaican opponent, but this time around there were no tears, just joy, pure unbridled joy, at finally achieving her dream.
"The moments that motivated me the most were losing on the biggest stage and never forgetting that feeling," she said. "Now I'm able to say that I embrace that journey, because that is what has pushed me all these years.
"I think it was all for a reason. It kept me motivated and it made this moment very special. It was a big weight being lifted."
The 200 meters in London saw arguably the most competitive field ever assembled; along with Felix, the race included London 100 meter champion Fraser-Price of Jamaica, 400 meter gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross, two-time defending champ Campbell-Brown, and 100 meter world champion Jeter.
"I don't think you could ever put eight ladies like that again in a race," Fraser-Pryce said. "I would never run."
Felix, according to USATF, is now the most decorated 200 meter athlete ever; she has seven Olympic and world championship medals at this distance -- four of them gold. For Felix, though, it was all about winning that one particular precious gold. "It's crazy," she said. "I remember just coming over here in tears in Beijing.
"Gosh, just completely opposite tonight. For all of it to come together is just extremely special and I'm overjoyed."