LONDON — Sanya Richards-Ross went to Beijing four years ago as one of the favorites in the 400 meters but lost the lead coming down the stretch. She settled for a bronze medal, an especially bitter ending because she was fighting a mysterious disease that caused her joint pain and fatigue.
So, when she lost the lead on the back stretch here Sunday night, fans and friends must have braced for more heartbreak. This time, however, she stormed back to win the gold medal in 49.55, the first on the track for Team USA at the London Games.
“It’s really difficult to come out here and control your emotions and your desire when you want something so badly,” Richards-Ross said. “In 2008 what I learned was that you don’t win the race until you win the race. It took me some time to get past that. This time when I went on the track I knew that I had to cross that finish line first to call myself Olympic champion.”
Claiming the silver medal was Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain, the woman who passed Richards-Ross in Beijing to claim gold, at 49.70. American DeeDee Trotter took the bronze at 49.72. Richards-Ross passed Trotter and Russian Antonina Krivoshapha coming around the final bend.
“I just dug really deep,” she said of her sprint down the stretch.
She was initially diagnosed with Behcets Syndrome, but another doctor recently determined that was the wrong diagnosis and began treating her for a skin disease. She’s feeling much better.
“It’s been a phenomenal ride,” Richards-Ross said. “You have to overcome so much in four years to get this opportunity. I’m very, very grateful and feel very blessed to be living my dream.”
Richards-Ross was born in Jamaica but moved to the U.S. when she was 12. She is married to Aaron Ross, a cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars who was given time off from training camp to come here. Richards-Ross broke up at the interview podium when she spotted her husband standing in the back of the interview room.
“My hubby is my best friend and my greatest supporter,” she said. “The fact that he’s here, away from Jacksonville where he should be, it just goes to show how much we support each other. When I saw him after the race, it meant so much to me.”
Ross played in the Super Bowl last season with the New York Giants.
“She was with me on my ride all the way to the end,” Ross said, “and I wanted to be here to join her ride.”
Richards-Ross is coached by a man who knows how to develop 400-meter runners. Clyde Hart coached two other Olympic champions, world record holder Michael Johnson and 2004 Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.
“Since Michael and Jeremy have been so successful, it’s only right they join that group just for him to complete his legacy,” she said. “He so deserves it. He’s such a humble, inspiring sweet man.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616, jmeyer@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jmeyer26
