HAVANA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Osleydis Menendez said on Saturday she felt proud of the gold medal in the women's javelin throw at the Athens Olympic Games.

    Menendez, world record holder of 71.54 meters, expressed her thankfulness to Greece, where she became the world's best.

    "I feel very proud, so full of satisfaction that I feel I will explode," the champion said.

    Menendez won Thursday the gold medal with an Olympic record of 71.53 meters, which was short of her world record by one centimeter.

    In regards to her competition strategy, she explained that it consisted on making a first launching "that was demolishing to the rest of the competitors."

    "That's why I did my utmost in the first one, then I had no more energy left," said the 24-year-old.

    Menendez recalled that in 2003 she had one of her worst years and "I won't ever forget that, as I won't forget either all those people helping me to overcome the hardships, mainly my coach Dionisio Quintana, who is like a father to me." Enditem