Harrison did not qualified for the US Olympic team after she failed to make the top three at the American trials.
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As she did in her heat, the fast, flowing hurdler quickly moved clear of the field, but with the British public keeping a close eye on Porter and Jess Ennis-Hill, it took a couple of seconds before the world record reached people’s radars.
Usain Bolt spent the 48 hours before racing performing all manner of duties demanded of the most famous man in sport, from hula-hooping while discussing Beyonce to delivering his verdict on the biggest doping scandal in history. He is trying to win three consecutive gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4 x 100 meter relay.
It was also down on American LaShawn Merritt’s world-leading time of 1 9.74s, with Gatlin just one hundredth of a second behind.
Briton Adam Gemili, one of those closing on a grimacing Bolt as the line approached, clocked a season’s best 20.07secs to finish third.
“I tried to hold my form”. “It was just mentally, the pressure got to me”. I’m happy with the execution and hopefully my coach is. Mike Rodgers, also a member of the Rio Olympic Team, was eighth with a time of 10.19 seconds.
There was plenty to cheer for the home fans in the Olympic Stadium now decked out in the claret and blue of its new tenants, West Ham United soccer club.
Eilidh Doyle, fresh from a Diamond League win and personal best of 54.09 in the 400m hurdles in Monaco a week ago, was made to pay for a bad stutter going into the final barrier as she had to settle for fourth place in 54.70.
The Olympic legend has insisted that he is in good shape to compete in the Summer Olympics on August 2016 at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
In a somewhat cruel twist, the timer showed an incorrect time at first, which meant her record-setting came as an incredible surprise.
The 23-year-old raised the roof by producing an immaculate run to clock 12.20secs, breaking a record which had stood for 28 years.
“After not making the Olympic team, I wanted to show these girls what I have. I knew I had it in me, I ran as hard as I could today”.
Even sweeter for Harrison was finishing ahead of compatriots Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin, who both qualified for the Olympics ahead of her.
Harrison, a former University of Kentucky track standout, finished sixth in the U.S. Olympic qualifying trials last month.
Usain Bolt accused sprint rival Justin Gatlin of “disrespect” after proving his fitness for the Rio Olympics in London on Friday night.
The 29-year-old has previously stated that Rio would be his final Games – he turns 30 on the final day of competition – with a retirement date set for after next year’s world athletics championship at London’s Olympic Stadium. “So I really want to try to go after the 200-meter world record this year”. “I need more work but over time, I will be fine”. I feel like it’s a cop-out.
Bolt received a medical exemption to miss the Jamaican trials, which invited criticism from Gatlin and a host of other American sprinters who said the world’s fastest man had preferential treatment which he wouldn’t have received if he were an American. “I just kept saying that over and over again”, Harrison said. “I don’t think I executed well but I’m happy I’ve come off the race and I’m happy to go to Rio to defend my titles”.
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Usain Bolt gave the near sell-out London crowd the finale they were looking for on a gorgeous Friday evening at the Müller Anniversary Games, storming to 200m victory.
