Jamaica’s speed queen almost broke the world record for running 100m

The result that the speed queen of Jamaica achieved this morning, Hanoi time, in Eugene, Oregon, is the second fastest in athletics history in the women’s 100m event. With 10.54 seconds, Thompson-Herah is only 0.05 seconds behind the 33-year world record – 10.49 seconds – set by Florence Griffith-Joyner at the US track and field championships. Athletes at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

The race at Eugene brings together the world’s fastest three-legged female sprinter in 2021, including Thompson-Herah (10.61 seconds) and two fellow Jamaicans – Shericka Jackson (10.76 seconds), Shelly-Ann Fraser- Pryce (10.63 seconds).

Thompson-Herah was the second slowest to react to the start signal – taking 0.15 seconds, and only the fourth fastest when past the first 20 metres. But the acceleration after that to 39km / h and then 40 km / h helped this 29-year-old runner rise to second, just behind Fraser-Pryce at the 40-meter mark, and then overtake his fellow countryman to first from about 50 meters away. .

That spectacular break helped Thompson-Herah to finish two meters ahead and 0.19 seconds faster than runner-up Fraser-Pryce. The top 3 finisher is Shericka Jackson, with a time of 10.76 seconds, equaling her personal best (PB).

Victory in Eugene, Oregon this time marked Thompson-Herah’s progress compared to the time of 10.61 seconds that helped her win a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on July 31. The Jamaican runner is still on the right track on the way to conquering the 100m and 200m world records that she confidently outlined for herself.

“I see myself running faster, so breaking the record is possible,” Thompson-Herah said after this morning’s win.

The women’s 200m world record also belongs to Florence Griffith-Joyner with 21.34 seconds set at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In the final of this content of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on August 3, Thompson-Herah won a gold medal with the achievement. 21.53 seconds.

Nhat Tao