Sanya Richards has reason to celebrate

Sanya Richards once hoped to compete in the 200 and 400 at the Olympics, but after battling Behcet's syndrome, she is happy to compete in just one. And after tonight's track and field trials, that one will be the 400 meters, which she won in a blazing 49.89.

As Philip Hersh points out in his profile of Richards today, medical literature calls Behcet's incurable, leaving those who suffer from it to go between remission and flare-ups. Her worst flare-up of 2007 occurred at the nationals, where she had to run three 400-meter races in three days.

The schedule at the Olympic trials has been more forgiving, with one round Sunday, one Monday, then two days' rest before tonight's final. It may have made the difference.

"It is completely under control," Richards told Hersh before the meet began. "The medication I have been taking since the New Year has made a world of difference. I haven't had a flare-up since Jan. 1, which I think is just a miracle.

"I feel really good, but I haven't put it out of my mind...."

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Sanya Richards celebrates after medal ceremonies for the women's 400 meter finals. Behind her is Dee Dee Trotter, who came in third. Credit: Eric Gay / Associated Press