In the first round of 100 meters national trials Bolt had a hamstring muscle injury.
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Incredibly, Harrison will not be at the Rio Olympics, having finished sixth in the USA trials earlier this month, with only the top three qualifying.
Bolt, back at the Olympic Stadium where he won three golds at London 2012 and in his final race before Rio, was greeted with the customary roar of approval when introduced to the crowd and responded with his famous “Lighting Bolt” signature pose.
“I’m not fully in shape but with time I will get there”, said Bolt. “I need more work but over time, I will be fine”. I’ll just keep doing the work.
“I tried to hold my form. I’ll give it my best shot and, whatever position that gets me to, hopefully everyone’s entertained and happy”.
Harrison, who has been dominating the event all year – leading the Diamond Race with 40 points and who set a new American record of 12.26 weeks ago, was clean over all 10 barriers to post 12.20 and erase Bulgarian Yordanka Donkova’s 28 year-old world record of 12.21. Harrison’s compatriots finished 2-4 behind her, with U.S. Olympic Trials champion Brianna Rollins coming in at 12.57, and Rollins’s fellow Olympic teammates Kristi Castlin and Nia Ali finishing in 12.59 and 12.63, respectively. “I think it’s harder for me to defend, because the rest of the guys have had four years preparation to try and beat me”.
Harrison has not been selected for the US Olympic team but she showed the selectors what they will be missing by lowering the 100m hurdles world record.
The quartet of James Dasaolu, Adam Gemili, James Ellington and Chijindu Ujah were just 0.05 off the 17-year-old British record, while the squad’s strength in depth was demonstrated by the fact Britain’s B team of Richard Kilty, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Danny Talbot and Ojie Edoburun, came home just 0.03 behind in second.
Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas on the other hand was impressed with her victory of 49.55 in the women’s 400m race as she gets ready for Rio.
Harrison said she’ll still be cheering on the Americans, but she won’t be in Rio.
“I felt rusty after running 12.9 in the semis”, she said.
Bolt is also aiming to make another world history by being the first person to accomplish “triple-triple” in the world of track and field. “I laughed when I heard it, I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin”.
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With the temperature a cosy 23C for most of the evening and the stadium’s track relaid with the same fast Mondo track that will be used in Rio, conditions were flawless for running.
