Only unlike Bolt, Harrison is not going to the Olympics.
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Brianna Rollins (12.57), Kristi Castlin (12.59) and Ali Nia (12.63), all Rio-bound after finishing 1-2-3 in the U.S. trials, finished in the same order, behind Harrison Friday.
Scot Muir broke Dame Kelly Holmes’ 12-year-old British record in the 1500m, clocking three minutes 57.49 seconds in a race she controlled.
It was one hundredth of a second faster than the mark set by Bulgaria’s Yordanka Donkova in 1988 – four years before Harrison was born.
“It is unfortunate I didn’t get top three”, said Harrison, who is “ok” with the US system.
“My coach has been telling me since day one that I had it in me”.
Even sweeter for Harrison was finishing ahead of compatriots Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin, who both qualified for the Olympics ahead of her.
“To get a PR out of it that’s really nice but you know we still made a few small mistakes in the race but, you know, we can put it together in time for Rio but I’m excited for it. Things are looking extremely well for me”.
“Yes it definitely tells me I have passed this test”, Bolt told STAR Sports shortly after leaving the newly laid London Olympic Stadium track.
Bolt rarely has anything to prove to anyone.
But the six-time Olympic champion had to show in London that he hasn’t been slowed by the hamstring injury that led to him withdrawing from his country’s Olympic trials.
After delivering a silky smooth performance to win, the clock initially showed a modest 12.58 seconds.
“I’m getting there. I am not fully in shape”, said the 29-year-old.
There was a more muted celebration for Bolt, who nevertheless delighted the crowd by winning then spending his usual remarkable amount of time signing autographs, posing for photos and giving endless media interviews.
This latest success followed the team’s gold medal at the recent European Championships in Amsterdam, raising hopes that the days of baton blunders and infighting are over and sending them to Rio in the best possible frame of mind. “The execution up there wasn’t flawless but it was my first run so I can’t complain”.
Bolt had received a medical exemption to miss the Jamaican trials – sparking claims from Gatlin who said he got preferential treatment which he would not receive were he American.
Bolt added: “You never know what will make me continue but I’m also going to take it a year at a time and we’ll see how I feel and if I can motivate myself to go one more year, why not?”
The 23-year-old said: “I’m over the moon with that”.
“To hear people call me a world record holder, it sounds remarkable”.
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Olympic triple jump Christian Taylor prepared for his defense in Rio by reaching 17.78. The only time she has run quicker was en route to London 2012 gold in 12.54.
