It was Harrison’s second record-breaking performance of the year.
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A speedy 12.40 seconds in the preliminary restored her confidence.
Much has changed inside the Olympic Stadium since Bolt won his hat-trick of golds in London 2012, with the colours of soon-to-be new residents West Ham United in the seating and reminders of the Hammers’ history adorning the walls inside the bowels of the stadium. It’s not just any record: it’s Kelly Holmes’ Olympic gold medal record.
Harrison, 23, was already the fastest woman in the world this year, but will not be at next month’s Olympics after finishing only sixth in the U.S. trials.
None more so than Harrison herself, who fell to the track in tears as soon as she realised. As we noted at the time, Harrison’s 12.62 at the Trials was her second-slowest mark of the year (only her 12.66 in terrible conditions in Stockholm was slower) and it went down as her only defeat of the year in a final (she was also second in her prelim at the Trials).
Usain Bolt wins the Men’s 200m at the Olympic Stadium, London.
He led coming off the bend, but appeared to have to work harder than usual down the home straight.
The women’s quartet of Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryl Neita kicked off the London Anniversary Games with a superb demonstration of speed.
Her winning time took 0.04 off her previous PB and 0.01 off the previous world record set in 1988 by Yordanka Donkova.
“The thing is I said to Denise (Lewis) right before that race, I said, “She’s out her to break a world record to make up for that (the Trials)”.
Julian Forte, 10.11 ran fifth in the 100m, which was won by Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut in 10.02 ahead of Isaiah Young, 10.07 and Churandy Martina, 10.10. “Go back to training and go after the world record”. And he did not disappoint the roaring crowd even on this night.
Jamaica Beijing World Championship bronze medallist, O’Dayne Richards, will be hoping to improve on his season’s best of 20.82m when he lines up in the men’s shot put alongside Americans Joe Kovacs, Kurt Roberts and Darrell Hill.
Canada’s Brandon McBride set a 1.43.95 personal best in second, with Diamond Race leader Ferguson Rotich third.
“No, never”, was Farah’s response when asked if he had ever gone into a major event in better shape. Sam Kendricks took second with a best of 5.83m before retiring after two failures at 5.90m, with Lavillenie’s fellow countryman Menaldo third.
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However, Bolt, who was running for the first time since he withdrew from the Jamaican Senior Championships on July 1, was not satisfied with his performance.
