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A feature of Maria Mutola's 2000 and 2001 seasons had been her duels
with Austrian Stephanie Graf, who had made a determined but unsuccessful
effort to unseat Mutola as the world's premier 800m runner. Having
managed to dispense with Graf, Mutola found fresh opposition in 2002 in
the form of Jolanda Ceplak (Slovenia), who established her credentials
by setting a new world indoor record in early March. The two first met
over 800m in Stockholm on 16 July where Mutola prevailed over Ceplak,
but both in turn were beaten by Nicole Teter (USA). Two weeks later, on
29 July, Mutola was in Manchester attempting to successfully defend her
Commonwealth 800m title. The Manchester race was run at a very smart
pace with Michelle Ballantine (Jamaica) leading the pack through the
first lap in 56.7sec, but Mutola quickly stamped her authority, and ran
away to win easily (see photo above taken on July 29th.by Nigel French © G.H.) in a new Games record of
1min 57.35sec.
On 8 August, Ceplak won the European 800m title, setting
the stage for a showdown between herself and Mutola for supremacy in
the event in 2002. The two met three times in one week in mid-August,
over 800m at Zurich on 16 August, 1000m at Linz on 19 August, and 800m
at London on 23 August, and on each occasion Mutola was the victor,
effectively demonstrating who was still number one in the world. If
there was any doubt, the two met once more at the other major
international competition held that year, the World Cup in Madrid. In
the 800m at Madrid, on 20 September, Ceplak led at the bell, but Mutola
easily overhauled her and went on to win her fourth World Cup title, in
the process becoming the first athlete, female or male, to win four
World Cup gold medals in the one event. (Ron Casey)
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