Bahamian sprinter loves Drake Relays, turkey drumsticks.
By Andrew Logue Register Staff Write
A craving for speed inspired Debbie Ferguson to win gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympics.
Her love of junk food, however, helped bring the 29-year-old sprinter back to the Drake Relays.
"I just remember it being so athlete friendly," Ferguson said of Iowa's premier track and field meet. "And at the end of the day, going to look for a turkey drumstick."
Ferguson, a 10-time national champion in the Bahamas, becomes the first elite athlete to enter the 96th annual Relays, April 28-30 in Des Moines.
She will run in the women's invitational 100 meters, marking her first appearance at Drake Stadium since 1999.
"We've been inviting her ever since I became director of the Relays," said Mark Kostek, the meet's chief organiser for the past four years. "We were finally able to have her come back home."
Ferguson helped The Bahamas earn a silver medal in the 4 x 100 relay at the 1996 Olympics, and ran the anchor leg for the gold-medal-winning team in 2000.
Last year, Ferguson added a bronze medal in the 200 meters at Athens, Greece.
"You always work hard and dream of winning a medal, whatever medal it may be," said Ferguson, who trains in Miami. "I'm blessed, but I feel the best is yet to come."
Ferguson was a member of Georgia's winning 4 x 100 and the sprint medley relays at Drake in 1998. She helped the Lady Bulldogs defend their 4 x 100 title the following spring.
Success was celebrated with a victory lap, and a trip to the concession stands.
"That's usually the highlight - the treats after you compete," Ferguson said. "It's just nice to come back. I'm really pumped and looking forward to it."
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