Felix Sanchez Clinches Share Of IAAF Golden Jackpot
Former USC track star and current world champion wins seventh-straight race, prepares for historic Grand Prix double.

Sept. 10, 2002

Former USC track star Felix Sanchez won the 400-meter hurdles in Berlin on Friday (Sept. 6) to clinch a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot along with fellow track luminaries Marion Jones, Hicham El Guerrouj and Ana Guevara.

Each of the four contenders had won six of six races on the Golden League circuit. At least a share of 50 kilos of gold was available to any of the four contenders as long as they won in Berlin and completed a seven out of seven win streak.

Sanchez, the 2001 World Champion in the 400-meter hurdles and current world leader with a time of 47.35, broke the field in the first 200 meters with a bold strategy which left him well clear coming into the last 100 meters. By the last hurdle, Sanchez had begun to tire as a result of his initial effort and Saudi Arabia's Hadi Soua