General News of Wednesday, 15 September 1999

Source: Reuters

Myles Mills wins 100 metres at All Africa Games

Ghana's Leo Myles-Mills upstaged both Frankie Fredericks and Francis Obikwelu to win the men's 100 metres at the All Africa Games in 9.99 seconds on Wednesday.

Myles-Mills pipped Nigerian Obikwelu, the world 200 metres bronze medallist who had to be content with silver in 10.01, and Namibia's Frankie Fredericks, third in 10.10.

``To beat Frankie is unbelievable. I lived up to my expectations...I came here to win and I did just that,' said Myles-Mills, a U.S. college sociology student.

Double Olympic silver medallist Fredericks has been bothered by a sciatic nerve injury since May. The 31-year-old, who has been Africa's most consistently successful sprinter, said he was looking forward to a rest before next year's Sydney Olympics.

``The problems I've had this season have been one of those things but I wanted to show Africa I care, even though I make my money overseas,'' Fredericks said.

In the pool there were no surprises in the women's 100 metres breaststroke, won comfortably by South African Penny Heyns in one minute 07.58 seconds, just over a second outside her world record.

South Africa's Ziada Jardine was second in 1:15.31 and Zimbabwe's Lauren Harvey third in 1:18.05.

``I went out easy with the aim of coming home in 1:08 so I'm happy with 1:07,'' Heyns said. ``At altitude, I think I swam it as best as I could.''

Heyns, world record holder over the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke, won the 200 here earlier this week.

Heyns, who has emerged as the country's most high profile sportswoman, says she can go faster at next year's Olympics.

South Africans dominated action in the pool, sweeping all six golds and five silvers.

South African strength extended to field events for a second day, though golds on the track went to Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Nigeria's Mercy Nku won the women's 100 metres in 11.02 and team mate Willian Erese the 110 metres hurdles in 13.71. Ethiopia's Ayelech Worku took the women's 5,000 metres title in 15:38.44.

Egypt's Hatem Meral won the long jump with a leap of 8.09 metres.

World number one Hestrie Storbeck-Cloete of South Africa was an easy winner of the women's high jump with 1.96 metres and compatriot Frantz Kruger took the men's discuss with 61.02.

South Africa's success in the pool and at the athletics moved the hosts to the top of the official medals table with 40 golds, followed by Egypt on 36 and Nigeria 34.

The Games which have drawn more than 5,000 athletes from 50 countries end on Sunday.