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L'hombre más rápido del mundo
By Chris Galakoutis
| Thursday, May 3 2007 9:05:48 AM |
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It was four years ago today that Estadio Olimpico in Mexico City erupted in applause during his introduction. "L'hombre más rápido del mundo" were the words that could barely be heard over the crowd buzz as the public address announcer was introducing the then world's fastest man.
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Tim Montgomery went on to lose that race to my good friend Nic Macrozonaris, who upon realizing he'd won had left his competitors behind at the finish line and set off on a victory lap.
Things would go downhill from there for Montgomery, who would never again regain the form of 2001 and late 2002 that saw him break the 100m world record in Paris in a time of 9.78 seconds.
It was also at that Paris meet in September, 2002 that he and Marion Jones chose to go public with their relationship.
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May 3, 2003 - Mexico City
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The record- breaking couple shared a kiss in front of a worldwide television audience following Montgomery's run into the record books.
Both athletes would later be ensnared by the Balco investigation, and while both endured difficult moments there could not have been more diametrically opposite outcomes - akin to a pair of Vegas slot machines needing service technicians lickety-split, with one a perennial winner while the other a consistent dud.
Everything that could seemed to stick on Montgomery who would eventually be banned from the sport, whereas Jones made out just fine time and again in a streak that would have made proud the late John "Teflon" Gotti.
The downward spiral for Montgomery did not end with his suspension from track & field. Last month he pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and money-laundering and could be sentenced in the days ahead to more than three years in prison.
Four years ago today in Mexico City, after tasting defeat in his first race after breaking the 100m world record, Montgomery tracked down Macrozonaris in the media circle. A mis-fit of sorts in a world of brash-talking sprinters, Montgomery had always been described as a nice, quiet type. He would certainly live up to that description on that night when, with disbelief in his eyes but genuine nonetheless, he offered Macrozonaris a congratulatory handshake and wished him well.
In the end we all reap what we sow. But after witnessing first-hand where this man was just four years ago today, it is truly saddening what has happened to Tim Montgomery.
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Chris Galakoutis is the managing editor of HellenicAthletes.com. Contact information can be found here.
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