TRIPLE TREAT!
Fraser-Pryce withdraws from Paris clash
JAMAICA’S OLYMPIC champion Elaine Thompson-Herah will be seeking to get back to winning ways when she runs in the women’s 100 metres at today’s Wanda Diamond League meet in Paris, France.
Thompson-Herah was edged out by compatriot Shelly-Ann FraserPryce in a fast run 100 metres in Lausanne on Thursday but the planned Diamond League rematch will not take place as the latter has withdrawn from the meet. Fraser-Pryce, the third-fastest woman ever over 100m after her personal best and meet record 10.60 seconds win on Thursday, is reportedly suffering from fatigue after a long season.
Her main rival is out but Thompson-Herah, who clocked 10.64 for second on Thursday, remains upbeat about today’s race.
“We train our body and mind – that’s what we do,” she said yesterday. “I’m tired, but hopefully by tomorrow I can get some more energy. I will take it race by race and see what I can do until the end of the season.
“Last night (Thursday in Lausanne) I didn’t get the start I wanted, but I finished strong.”
Thompson-Herah said Fraser-Pryce has helped to motivate her this season.
“Shelly-Ann ran 10.63 earlier this year in Jamaica. I know she is a hard-working woman. And the fact that she is running so fast at 34 gives me motivation that I can do it again at the next Olympics in Paris when I am 32. She has done it, so I can do it too.”
Two other Jamaicans, Olympic bronze medallist Shericka Jackson and Natasha Morrison will run in today’s race. An interesting entry here is Great Britain’s Dina Asher Smith who was not at her best in Tokyo due to injury but will be hoping to get back to her best form in today’s race. Asher Smith is the 2019 World 200 metres champion. She also won silver in the 100m at the same meet. Olympic 100 metres hurdle bronze medallist
Megan Tapper will lead a Jamaican trio in the women’s 100 metres hurdles which will include Olympic finalist Britany Anderson, the second-fastest female in the world this season with a best of 12.40 seconds, and Danielle Williams who has a season’s best 12.62.
After disappointing runs in Lausanne, Janieve Russell (sixth) and Candice McLeod (fifth) will be hoping for better results in the women’s 400 metres hurdles and 400 metres, respectively. Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic who won the 400m in Lausanne will compete in the one-lap flat event along with Olympic bronze medallist, American Allyson Felix.
On the male side, Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Hansle Parchment and bronze medallist Ronald Levy will also be hoping for better results. Levy was fifth in Lausanne while Parchment finished at the back of the field after hitting two hurdles.
Two other Jamaicans down to compete today are Nigel Ellis and Julian Forte. They will run in the men’s 100 metres.