Also in that race, will be Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who is the world’s second fastest man.
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One of the things I was happy about is that Elaine (Thompson) was able to get across the line and get her gold medal. “I was excited to have the opportunity to defend my title and I’m equally excited that the woman who won it will be going home to Jamaica”.
Fraser-Pryce was trying to become the first person to win three straight 100-meter titles at the Olympics but settled for a bronze medal.
There was a twist Saturday, however, as he tripped and fell early in the race when he tangled with his American training partner Galen Rupp with 16 laps remaining. “I’m proud of Jamaica – just look at my hair”. He’ll try to become the first man to win three straight titles in the event.
After winning what she called the “best medal”, Fraser-Pryce said she couldn’t believe her own story sometimes, and hoped her story and that of other athletes could serve as an inspiration to upcoming Jamaican athletes. She was kicked off her high school track team “because she is kind of saucy”, said coach Paul Francis, who gave her a college scholarship. Yet again and again she said, “I’m happy”, because of all she’d been through.
Turning back the clock in his fifth and final Games, Phelps produced a blistering third leg of butterfly to restore his team’s lead and tee up victory after Britain’s Adam Peaty had threatened to gatecrash his party.
The American eight delivered as expected, winning their third straight Olympic gold and extending their ideal record at the Olympics and the world championships to 11 straight years.
In the discus, Christoph Harting of Germany won the gold, a day after his brother, defending champion Robert Harting, was eliminated in qualifying.
“By far, I would say this is my best championship ever”, Fraser-Pryce said.
Nursing a toe injury, Fraser-Pryce’s qualifying time was only her second sub-11 seconds race this season and she faces some stiff competition to reach the top of the podium.
It was the first USA gold medal in the rowing regatta and second overall, after Genevra Stone’s silver in the women’s single sculls.
“It’s Elaine’s time and I’m really happy for her”, said Fraser-Pryce.
Sunday’s finals are the women’s marathon and triple jump, the men’s 400m, and the blue-riband 100m with Usain Bolt who started his quest for a third Olympic treble on Saturday.
Fraser-Pryce revealed she had also been struggling with an injury.
In between, long jumper Jeff Henderson brought all-time gold medal No. 999 to the United States, jumping 8.38 meters to overtake Luvo Manyonga of South Africa on his last jump.
On becoming 100m champion, Thompson added: “I went out there confident, I was smiling to get the nerves away”. “But I knew I had just one race to go tonight”.
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The gold and bronze performances were Jamaica’s first medals of Rio, a count that is expected to rise as the focus shifts from swimming to athletics over the coming week.
