Kelly-Ann Baptiste is chasing Olympic glory.
The Trinidad and Tobago track star told the Express she is determined to turn Monday's IAAF World Championship women's 100 metres bronze into gold at next year's London Olympics.
"The race was really close, so it could have been anybody's race."
American Carmelita Jeter grabbed the gold in 10.90 seconds, finishing ahead of Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown, the silver medallist in 10.97, and Baptiste, who got to the line in 10.98.
Baptiste said her start is the key to Olympic gold.
"That's my strong point. Once I could perfect it and be consistent at that, I'll definitely (turn bronze into gold)."
The Florida-based sprinter's coach, American Lance Brauman, is also focused on London gold.
"That's what the goal is. If you don't think you're going to be a gold medallist, why do the sport? Kelly-Ann's making good progress, and she's going to continue to get better. It's another year of development."
The 10.98 run produced by Baptiste, here in Daegu, Korea, was actually a lot better than the time suggests. The sprinters in Monday's final had to contend with a 1.4 metres per second headwind. Had it been a 1.4 following wind, Baptiste would probably have improved on her 10.84 seconds national record.
"If you turn that one around," Brauman told the Express, "I'd guess that was somewhere in the 10.7s for sure. Her goal is to run in the 10.6s, and I'm good with that, so we're going to continue to work towards it and move forward."
Brauman coached Campbell-Brown to Olympic 200m titles in 2004 and 2008, before the Jamaican sprinter moved to another camp in 2009.
The coach said Baptiste was boosted by victories in Europe this season over Campbell-Brown and her compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
"She needed to know that she was on the same page with those girls. She did a good job of stepping up at those meets and taking them on and beating them. It showed here. She wasn't nervous."
Brauman also coaches American sprint star Tyson Gay. Baptiste said she has benefitted from being in the same camp as the 2007 World Championship double sprint gold medallist.
"The people who know Tyson know that he likes to help others. He's a great person. Being in the group, and knowing what he has achieved and what he's about to achieve, has motivated me. He has helped me a lot mentally, and even things he thinks he can help me with technically. He has been a great help to me," Baptiste ended, "and all the other athletes in the group."
–Kwame Laurence
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com