Home Sports Tokyo Olympics: Thompson-Herah leads Jamaican sweep of Women’s 100m

Tokyo Olympics: Thompson-Herah leads Jamaican sweep of Women’s 100m

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Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica celebrates after winning the Women's 100 metres final in a new Olympic record time on day eight of the Olympic Stadium during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Elaine Thompson-Herah became the second-fastest woman in history as she beat fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to retain her Olympic 100m title.

The 29-year-old ran 10.61 seconds, a new Olympic record and just 0.12secs short of the world record set by the US’ Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

Shericka Jackson completed a Jamaican one-two-three in Tokyo with a time of 10.76, 0.02 behind Fraser-Pryce.

Great Britain’s Daryll Neita finished eighth in 11.12.

However, team-mate Dina Asher-Smith failed to qualify for the final and then withdrew from the 200m after revealing she tore her hamstring earlier this month.

“I have been struggling with my injury back and forth,” Thompson-Herah told BBC Sport after victory.

“I see all the bad comments. I take all of my losses, all of my defeats and I use them as my motivation.”

Thompson-Herah wins Jamaican shake-down

Fraser-Pryce, who qualified fastest for the final, found herself under pressure almost immediately from the gun as her usual whip-smart start did not fire as expected.

With the long-striding Thompson-Herah on her shoulder, Fraser-Pryce tensed up over the final 30 metres.

Thompson-Herah’s lead was comfortable enough for her to salute the clock and photographers as she crossed the line in a time that matches Griffith-Joyner’s second-fastest time.

It also sets a new Olympic record.

Thompson-Herah, who came third in the Jamaican trials earlier this year, relished her victory over her domestic rivals, with silver little consolation to a grim-faced Fraser-Pryce.

“It wasn’t the best 30 metres because I had a stumble at about the third step and I never recovered from it,” said the 34-year-old, who was aiming to be become the first woman to win three Olympic 100m titles.

“I am excited because, as a mother and at my fourth Olympics, to be able to stand again on the podium is just a tremendous honour.

“But, you know, my emotions are still very raw right now. I am sure I will go home and there will be some tears.” (BBC Sport)

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