Sports / Newsmakers

Another sprint, another Jamaican

(China Daily/Agencies) Updated: 2016-08-15 07:38

Fraser-Pryce was trying to become the first person to win three straight 100m titles at the Olympics. It would've given her one day's worth of bragging rights over Usain Bolt, who has overshadowed her in almost everything despite their dual dominance. Bolt will try to do it in the men's final on Sunday.

Fraser-Pryce led early, but faded and had to settle for a bronze medal-won by only .007 over surprise finalist Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote d'Ivoire-to go with the green-and-yellow hairdo she worked up for her turn as Jamaica's flagbearer in the opening ceremony.

She had been struggling with a toe injury that she said made even getting to the line an accomplishment.

"By far, I would say this is my best championship ever," Fraser-Pryce said. "I knew how hard I worked, I knew the pain, I knew the sacrifice, I knew the tears, I knew everything."

And now, there's a new champion from the island country that seems to grow them on trees.

Thompson was a late bloomer. Until she finished second in the 200m at last year's world championships, she barely made a splash on the international scene, tucked behind Fraser-Pryce and the country's seven-time Olympic medalist, Veronica Campbell-Brown, among others.

Thompson's win over Fraser-Pryce at the nationals caused a stir, but then both runners took to the sideline-Fraser-Pryce with the toe injury and Thompson with a strained hamstring.

She looked no worse for wear over three heats in Rio. In the final, she got stronger as she approached the line and left the field far behind.

 

 

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