Shelly Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson and Christania Williams will all move to the semi-final of the women’s 100 metres.
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But it was Thompson who confirmed herself as the standard-bearer of Jamaican women’s sprinting with an imperious display. Tori Bowie of the United States took the silver medal with 10.83sec while Fraser-Pryce claimed bronze in 10.86. “I think the spotlight is on us tonight”.
The U.S. enjoyed more success in another field event.
Seven women finished under 11 seconds to complete the fastest 100 ever.
Now the sprinter who failed to make her high school’s athletics team is the world’s fastest woman. Tanui held on for silver in 27:05.64 and Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia took bronze.
“When you have five girls who can run 10.7 and better, it’s going to be a good race”, American sprinter English Gardner said.
She’s also so deeply respected that the entire Jamaican Olympic team voted to have her carry the flag last weekend in Rio’s Opening Ceremony.
Thompson’s win over Fraser-Pryce at the national championships caused a stir, before both runners were forced out of action – Fraser-Pryce with a toe injury and Thompson with a strained hamstring.
Jason Pryce met Shelly-Ann while visiting his friend during training at the University of Technology, according to the Jamaica Observer.
Thompson had a lot to learn about being a world-class pro too.
In 2013, Thompson ranked No. 124 in the world in the 100m. I was just excited to defend my title, and then the unexpected happened. He took discus gold on the penultimate throw of the competition with a personal best 68.05m ahead of world champion Piotr Malachowski of Poland and Germany’s Daniel Jasinski. Ranked 34th, she added her surprising win over the second-seeded Kerber – the Australian Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up this year – to those she picked up against two other past major champions, Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova.
“What I’m most happy about is that the 100m title is staying in Jamaica”.
For more of PEOPLE’s Olympic coverage, pick up our collector’s edition, The Best of the Games, on sale now. By 9:20 p.m. Saturday, she was the favorite after running the easiest semifinal.
In 2014, Bowie finished last at the world indoor championships. A decision on Darya Klishina’s petition is expected before the long jump competition begins Tuesday. Past year told me I could do so much, she declared.
Bowie experienced nearly immediate success. Fraser-Pyrce, her home-country’s colors dyed in her hair, smiled politely. Out of lane one.
“I look up to her so much but I never thought I’d be sitting here today”, said Thompson. The only hiccup was in the 100m final, where she was third (but a comfortable third, earning the last individual Olympic 100m spot by.17).
Even her own relatives were among the killings.
It was the first US gold medal in the rowing regatta and second overall, after Genevra Stone’s silver in the women’s single sculls. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola got bronze.
Thompson and Bowie are each medal favorites in the 200m, which starts Monday.
Compatriot Usain Bolt will be looking to achieve the same feat when the men’s event concludes Sunday. Chances are, he will not be asked about Thompson in his press conference.
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It is unclear whether Fraser-Pryce was fully fit to contest the final after she broke down in tears following her semi-final win.
