LOS ANGELES, Nov 9: Sprinter Carmelita Jeter and high jumper Jesse Williams were honoured on Tuesday as recipients of the Jesse Owens Award as America’s outstanding athletes of 2011.

Jeter, the 31-year-old sprinter who broke through for her first world title a 100m triumph at the World Championships in South Korea, was pleased with the recognition but not about to let it dim her laser-like focus on next year’s London Olympics.

“I definitely needed to show myself that I could win a championship,” said Jeter, who spoke about the award on a conference call from the beach where she was training.

“It was a weight lifted off my shoulders. This definitely gives me momentum for 2012.” Jeter also anchored the US women’s victorious 4x100m relay at the world championships, where she earned silver in the 200m.

Jeter, who will turn 32 later this month, said a more professional approach to her job had paid off this season.

“You take care of your body more, eat well, rest well, and a lot of that contributes to how I was performing,” she said.

Now that she’s a bit older, she said, she’s also more receptive to advice such as that she gets from coach John Smith.—AFP