Coventry eyes gold after chalking up third silver

Coventry eyes gold after chalking up third silver

THIRD TIME SILVER: Coventry (left) with the winner of the 200m individual medley Stephanie Rice and bronze medalist Natalie Coughlin

• Coventry wins second silver medal for Zim

• Coventry breaks world record in 100m backstroke

• Coventry takes Olympic silver in 400m IM

• World breaking Coventry wins fourth gold

• Coventry sets 400m individual medley world record

• Kirsty smashes venerable 200m backstroke record

• Coventry wins 7th All Africa Games gold

• Coventry claims 2 gold medals at All Africa Games

• It's Kirsty again!

• Mugabe gives Coventry diplomatic passport

• Zim rolls out red carpet for Coventry

• Your shouts on Coventry's victory

• Coventry unites nation

• Mugabe leads tributes after Coventry stunner

• Zimbabwe heroine Coventry wins Olympic gold

• Heroine Coventry clinches second medal for Zim

• Coventry wins Olympic silver

Last updated: 12/08/2008 10:50:42
WITH three silver medals dangling in front chest, Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry vowed Wednesday that she would "definitely" go all out for gold in Beijing.

"It was good. But I am a little bit disappointed. It was so close," a smiling Coventry said after losing the women's 200-meter individual medley to Australia's Stephanie Rice by 0.14 seconds.

Coventry lost to Rice in the women's 400 individual medley Sunday and was beaten by Natalie Coughlin Tuesday in the women's 100 backstroke.

"It is a little heartbreaking," Coventry said. "I don't take any thing away from the silver medal. It's such an accomplishment at the Olympics. But I am definitely going for the gold at the backstroke."

Having won three medals in Athens, including one gold, one silver and one bronze, Coventry, by herself, placed her country on the Olympic swimming medal table. Her medals were also the first individual Olympic medals in Zimbabwe's history.

When she returned to Zimbabwe after the Athens, she was hailed as a national treasure. Many new babies were named Kirsty, with the middle name of Coventry, in her honor, while others were even called 'Goldmedal' or 'Threemedals'.

Coventry grew up in Zimbabwe and her parents and many relatives are still living in Zimbabwe. But the simmer herself has been studying and training in the United States over the years.

"As everyone knows, it's pretty tough back home right now. I think sport is kind of taking a little bit of the back seat. But I am excited to be here representing Zimbabwe. Hopefully, it could get people back home especially the youngsters back home excited about sports," said Coventry, who speaks English with an American accent.

Coventry said she will return home after the Olympics and visit some schools. "Hopefully, we'll find some good talents and get them to the right places. I hope there are some future Kirsty Coventrys coming up."

On Thursday, Coventry will start swim her signature event, 200-meter backstroke, which is also her last chance to get a gold in the Beijing Games.

"That gold medal is going to be hanging over my lane every time I get into swim. So it's definitely my goal," said Coventry, who won the gold in Athens. - Xinhua
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