Elaine Thompson-Herah came within 0.05 seconds of Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33-year-old 100 metres world record as she clocked the second fastest time ever at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
The Jamaican blazed to victory at the Prefontaine Classic in 10.54secs, eclipsing the 10.61s she ran to defend her Olympic title in Tokyo last month.
She finished well clear of compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who clocked 10.73.
2nd fastest ever! @FastElaine 📸 @matthewquine / @Diamond_League pic.twitter.com/IHjuftrLd8 — Prefontaine Classic (@nikepreclassic) August 21, 2021
Griffith Joyner’s mark of 10.49 from 1988 has long appeared untouchable, but Thompson-Herah’s exploits this summer have brought it within reach for the first time in a generation.
“To come back with a personal best after the championships, that is amazing,” said the 29-year-old, who also won 200m and 4x100m gold in Tokyo.
“I have more races, so I don’t get too excited, too carried away. I have to continue doing the job.”
Sha’Carri Richardson, the American who missed the Olympics after testing positive for cannabis, finished last in 11.14 in her first race back following a one-month ban.
1⃣0⃣.5⃣4⃣ for @FastElaine ‼️ ✅ 2nd fastest time in history✅ World Lead✅ National Record✅ @Diamond_League Record✅ #EugeneDL Record ✅ Personal Best HOW 👏 ABOUT 👏 THAT 👏 pic.twitter.com/41cGb2vYn8 — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 21, 2021
The 21-year-old, whose 10.72 from April makes her the sixth fastest woman in history, was typically defiant afterwards, saying: “I wanted to be able to come and perform after having a month off and dealing with all I was dealing with. I’m not upset with myself at all.
“This is one race. I’m not done. You know what I am capable of. Count me out if you want to. Talk all the s*** you want, because I’m here to stay.”
Dina Asher-Smith, whose 100m and 200m medal hopes in Tokyo were dashed by a hamstring injury, clocked 22.19 to finish third in the 200m, while Olympic silver medallists Laura Muir and Keely Hodgkinson were 12th and fifth in the 1500m and 800m respectively.
Among other Britons, Holly Bradshaw finished second in the women’s pole vault with a best of 4.72m leaving her 10 centimetres behind American Katie Nageotte, while Giles Elliott took fourth in the men’s 800m final behind Canada’s Marco Arop.
