Williams-Mills: a symbol of courage

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

MOSCOW, Russia:

Starting from lane one, Jamaica's Novlene Williams-Mills could see all seven rivals in the 400 metres final at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics (WCA) in front of her. They were still there when the race ended.

But while Britain's Christine Ohuruogu won the gold medal by a razor-thin margin yesterday, Williams-Mills has captured - by a landslide - the hearts of all here who know her story.

The 31-year-old has emerged a reference point for courage, a breast cancer survivor who has not only refused to quit, but bounced back to shine at track's highest level.

"How many persons would have actually got up and took this fight like she had - head on?," said Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, captain of Jamaica's WCA women's team, who won the 100 metres.

"She didn't back down because this was something she was fighting for and she wanted to be here to represent her country.

"So doing what she did, and actually coming out here and showing the courage that she did, and make the finals out of so many ladies, shows the heart of a champion as well."

Initially, Williams-Mills wasn't sure she wanted to be poster girl for the battle against cancer. But her story became public and support poured in. She is finally embracing the fight.

Admirers

"I seem to have so many people rooting for me," said Williams-Mills.

Teammates and rivals. Friends, family and strangers. Across the Caribbean. Up North and Down Under, 'Novlene's Army' of admirers is gathering momentum, unofficially and mostly without her knowledge.

"Oh my gosh!" said United States steeplechase runner Ashley Higginson on Sunday. "It's awe inspiring to see someone at this level go through so much personal trauma and emotion - and take all of that time to work on some other goal (athletics) - when you have so much else in the back of your mind."

Athletes here have used Williams-Mills' story to fuel their own WCA mission.

"It says that no matter what, no matter what's wrong with you, you can overcome it," said Sade Sealy, a 400 runner from Barbados. " ... This is a pretty big deal to me and I'm so inspired by her."

Others admit being unable to imagine the scope of Williams-Mills's struggle, including multiple surgeries, losing breasts, and knowing the disease could resurface.

The message, however, has had a powerful impact.

"I really don't know what I would do in her situation," said American quarter-miler Natasha Hastings, whose father is Jamaican. "But I know that it was something that was tough on her physically and mentally. So for her to come back the way she has, I think it's remarkable."

The added challenge of her pet event has also impressed fans of the St Ann native.

"I think all 400-metre runners are very tough, generally speaking," said Australian competitor Caitlin Sargent. "But to do that and come back, and to be running really impressive times, I think it shows you the strength that female athletes can have and it's really inspiring to all 400 runners."

Supporters appear ready to help Williams-Mills personally and the cause the Jamaican now represents.

"It's life-and-death serious," said Jamaican Stephenie McPherson, who placed fourth in the 400. "So we have to be there for her."

Williams-Mills' story has also helped them reframe priorities.

"I talk about track as an individual sport," said Hastings. "But I feel like in times like this, it's definitely a time when we should come together and support one another."

Before the 'fight', people knew her as just "Novlene, the athlete", she said. But times have changed. She's out front now, on a mission to inspire.

"I can see that (my story) has had a great impact on everyone," she said, "and I'm so grateful that there's somebody out there listening."