Harrison broke Yordanka Donkova’s 1988 record with a 12.20 finish during the Diamond League competition.
Advertisement
“I knew this was the only way I was going to make myself feel better, to get back to training and go after that world record”, she said.
The soon-to-be 30 Bolt did what he does the best – winning.
After a steady start he led halfway round the bend, but only just. Only the top three winners get to go to the Olympics.
Bolt was chased hard all the way though, with Alonso Edward second in 20.04 and home favourite Adam Gemili third in a season’s best 20.07. “To see that time, I was really happy”. “He should run just like everybody else”, Rodgers offered after going through the U.S. system, which stipulates that only the top three finishers in each event can be selected. Mike Rodgers, also a member of the Rio Olympic Team, was eighth with a time of 10.19 seconds.
She was beat out by three other women. “And then he will win”, American 400 meter great Michael Johnson said.
Bolt was forced to withdraw from the Jamaican Olympic trials after tearing his hamstring during the first week of July. He was kept in the Jamaican Olympic team despite injury concerns. “I’m happy with my execution and hopefully my coach is”.
Brianna Rollins (12.57), Kristi Castlin (12.59) and Ali Nia (12.63), Rio-bound after finishing 1-2-3 in the USA trials, finished in the same order, behind Harrison on Friday.
“After prelims (Friday), I finally got my confidence back”, said Harrison, who had been plunged into despair by her failure to punch her Rio ticket at the U.S. trials in Eugene, Oregon, earlier this month.
Bolt rarely has anything to prove to anyone.
The world’s fastest man is bidding for an unprecedented “triple triple” of gold medals in Brazil, hoping to become the first athlete to win the 100- and 200-meter as well as the 4×100-meter relay title at three consecutive Games. “I need more work but over time I will be fine”, Bolt said. “I wanted to give up so bad”.
As Asher-Smith, who ran the third leg, put it: “I was watching Daryll down the last 100m”.
“I am officially the luckiest girl on the planet but I will cherish these for the rest of my life”, the fan later tweeted Bolt, attaching a photo of the kicks. They said let the big man get in the middle and let him be by himself!
“I laughed when I heard it”.
Bolt is ranked joint fourth in the world over 100m this year with 9.88, with two-time drug cheat Justin Gatlin leading the way with 9.80.
Julian Forte, 10.11, ran fifth in the 100m, which was won by Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut in 10.02 ahead of Isiah Young, 10.07, and Martina, 10.10.
Advertisement
Olympic triple jump Christian Taylor prepared for his defense in Rio by reaching 17.78.
