Harper out to prove Olympic win was no fluke

By Mark Ledsom

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Olympic 100 meters hurdles champion Dawn Harper said on Monday she was eager to prove her Beijing victory was no fluke.

The 24-year-old pulled off one of the biggest surprises of last month's Games after benefiting from a mistake by fellow American Lolo Jones.

Jones, the pre-race favorite, slipped from first to seventh after hitting the ninth hurdle.

Swedish medal contender Susanna Kallur had already gone out after crashing to the ground in the semi-finals.

"I know everyone is saying it feels like a fluke and at times it seemed like the whole world wanted Lolo to win but me and my coach always knew what I was capable of," Harper told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne.

"Yes, the other girls had problems but I decided with my coach before the Games I would get on the podium and the color of the medal was up to me. It's amazing how people can think you have no chance if they haven't seen you at practice or know what you are capable of.

"But I know I can do great things, set times in the 12.4-second region. I'm capable of winning world championships and I aim to be the best hurdler in the world."

Harper meets Jones again in Lausanne.

Jones got the better of Harper on Friday, winning the Golden League meeting in Zurich with her rival finishing sixth.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)