New mom Devers back on track
NEW YORK – Gail Devers was wide awake in her hotel room when she should have been sound asleep. This, after all, was the night before her return to track after a 16-month break.
She didn’t care. She was loving every minute of it.
Devers was interrupting her sleep for essentially the same reason she interrupted her 22-year career as a world-class hurdler and sprinter. Her baby daughter, Karsen, demanded attention.
“I have new inspiration and new motivation,” Devers said.
The 39-year-old runner came in a modest fourth with a time of 8.13 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Millrose Games on Friday night. She’s a three-time champion in the event at Madison Square Garden, but this time she was just happy to be back, while her newest fan watched from in the stands.
“To bring her to my first meet was amazing,” she said.
It won’t be Devers’ last race in front of Karsen, either. Devers, who said she laughed at rumors she had retired during her time off, plans to run again soon.
“When I was away from track and field, I was away from track and field,” Devers said. “I do plan on you seeing me at least one time in the outdoor season.”
Devers says she put on just 17 pounds during pregnancy. Karsen was delivered by an emergency Caesarean section in June, preventing Devers from vigorous exercise for six months.
Once back in form, Devers won’t restrict herself to U.S. meets. If she runs in Europe, she’ll get Karsen a passport.
Devers also won’t rule out the 2008 Beijing Olympics, though she’d be nearly 42 then. It would be her last shot at a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles. Although Devers is one of the world’s top hurdlers, with three titles, her Olympic medals came in the 100-meter sprints in 1992 and 1996.
“You never know. You may see me at the Olympics,” Devers said. “If you look at the Olympic record book, you wouldn’t know I ran the hurdles.”