Sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah smashes Olympic record to win 100m gold. Jamaica achieved a clean sweep of podium – two-time Olympic gold medallist and four-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished second in 10.74, while Shericka Jackson was third in 10.76.
Thompson-Herah successfully defended her women’s 100m Olympic title after winning this afternoon’s hotly contested race in 10.61 seconds. The 29-year-old Thompson-Herah first took 100m Olympic gold at Rio 2016, also topping the podium in the 200m.
She went one better in Tokyo today, breaking the Olympic record on her way to victory. The record was previously a time of 10.62 – set by Florence Griffith Joyner of the US at Seoul 1988. Thompson-Herah is now the second fastest woman of all time, second to Griffith Joyner with the remarkable time of 10.49. In an interview with the BBC, Thompson-Herah revealed she was motivated by a series of injuries which have impacted her career.
“I have been struggling with my injury back and forth, I see all the bad comments, and for me to stay focused, held my composure, I take all of my losses, all of my defeats and I use them as my motivation,” she said.
Rival Fraser-Pryce voiced her disappointment about the result in her post-race interview, but sent an inspiring message to women around the world.
“I am excited because as a mother and my fourth Olympics to be able to stand again on the podium is just a tremendous honour,” she said. “I am hoping wherever in the world, mothers, athletes, females we understand that there is so much more we can achieve.”
“It is crazy, but you know my emotions are still very raw right now. I am sure I will go home and there will be some tears. I have been through this many, many times, so I am just really excited about what I have been able to do tonight.”
Team GB was represented by Daryll Neita, who finished eighth in 11.12. She progressed to the final at the expense of British teammate and world silver medallist Dina Asher-Smith, who has since revealed she was struggling with a hamstring injury.
Asher-Smith caused shockwaves when she announced she would no longer be competing in the women’s 200m later this week, giving a heartbreaking interview to the BBC earlier today.
Source – Givemesport
