Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson celebrates after she won the women’s 100m final.
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“I still can’t believe it, I didn’t come for a medal”.
It was the most noteworthy moment of the 12-minute event attended by about a 20 journalists.
The 100m final initially appeared impossible to call after all eight women qualified in sub-11 second times but as it turned out, Thompson won comfortably in 10.71 after hitting the front at halfway.
What happened Saturday night deserves better.
The 24-year-old Thompson finished ahead of American Tori Bowie in 10.83 with Fraser-Pryce taking bronze in 10.86.
Yet, as they strained the last couple of meters to the finish line, the growing daylight between Thompson and Bowie was emblematic of how much Olympic sprinting has changed. And what Bolt has in showmanship, Fraser-Pryce has in hairdos.
So often overshadowed by Bolt, Fraser-Pryce is just as formidable over the 100.
Merlene Ottey won nine Olympic medals between 1980 and 2000.
She faced tough competition in rivals Dafne Schippers, Tori Bowie and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, but Elaine was simply too fast for the field on August 13 at the Rio games. Francis, whose brother Paul coached Thompson as a collegian, told her she had talent, but it wasn’t enough. They shared a Jamaican flag on the blue track after the final, posing for photos.
Thompson is from the village of Banana Ground in Manchester Parish, where she was raised by her grandmother.
In 2013, Thompson ranked No. 124 in the world in the 100m.
“I didn’t think I would have been here because it was a tough journey and it continues to be a very hard journey”, Fraser-Pryce said. “I’m not doing as well as I want to be doing”.
Thompson’s best finish at Jamaica’s famed high school championships, “Champs”, was fourth. Tori didn’t quite better her 10.78 personal best, but she didn’t let herself down, however she was no match for Elaine who will bring home the gold. Heading to Rio, though, she was not seen as invincible as in past years. Five years younger than Fraser-Pryce, Thompson took silver in the worlds 200m.
It may also be surprising, but the 200 m champion of the Beijing Olympics in 2015 – Dafne Schippers managed to complete the distance with final time – 10.90, occupying the 5th place. By 9:20 p.m. Saturday, she was the favorite after running the easiest semifinal.
Given the toe injury that has plagued her throughout the season, though, she said it was not where she wanted to be and had had to block out the pain, but she wasn’t dissapointed in the result.
Bowie is also a former long jumper who didn’t decide to concentrate on the 100 and 200 until just two years ago.
Bowie experienced nearly immediate success.
“I’m really happy I persevered”. New records and new winners will definitely make you enjoy the course of events. I’ve seen her work hard and it was her time.
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“Oh yeah, she’s watching – and she’s probably crying right now”, Bowie said with a smile. “You can’t let her down, you can’t let her down”.
