Olympics Rio 2016: Elaine Thompson stuns Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win 100m
ByReuters
Updated 14/08/2016 at 04:31 GMT
Jamaica's Elaine Thompson won the Olympic women's 100 metres gold medal with a time of 10.71 seconds in the final on Saturday, beating two-time defending champion and compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce into third place.
Elaine Thompson
Image credit: AFP
The 24-year-old Thompson finished ahead of American Tori Bowie who ran 10.83 with Fraser-Pryce taking bronze in 10.86.
Thompson, who won silver in the 200 in last year's world championships in Beijing, admitted to being surprised by her victory.
"When I crossed the line and glanced across to see I was clear (I) didn't quite know how to celebrate," she told reporters.
The finalists finished very tightly grouped with each running under 11 seconds, apart from Jamaica's Christina Williams.
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Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) (2nd-L) of Jamaica, winner of the bronze medal, is embraced by gold medal winner Elaine Thompson (JAM) of Jamaica
Image credit: Reuters
Fraser-Pryce told reporters that if she was going to lose, she was glad to do so to a fellow Jamaican.
"What I'm most happy about is that the 100m title is staying in Jamaica. I'm on the podium with my training partner. I'm proud of Jamaica - just look at my hair," she said, alluding to her brightly-dyed locks.
Countryman Usain Bolt, favourite to win the men's 100m, was quick to congratulate the pair on Twitter, lauding Fraser-Pryce "for fighting and showing the heart of champ".
The gold and bronze performances were Jamaica's first medals of Rio, a count that is expected to rise as the focus shifts from swimming to athletics over the coming week.
Reigning champion Kirani James clocked a season-best 44.02 seconds to lead LaShawn Merritt and Wayde van Niekerk into the final of the 400m.
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Kirani James, Wayde van Niekerk and LaShawn Merritt moved a step closer to their highly-anticipated 400 metres showdown when they all eased through the first round of heats at the Rio Olympic Stadium on Friday.
Image credit: Reuters
The Grenadian got off to a great start and managed to hold off American Merritt, his predecessor as Olympic champion, coming into the home straight before both eased up knowing the first two home were guaranteed a spot in Sunday's final.
"In a race like that it is always tough," James said. "I had the inside lane so I could see what LaShawn was doing, and now I will just relax a bit and get some rest.
"Tomorrow is going to be a dog fight"
Defending champion David Rudisha qualified for the final of the 800m after winning the third heat in 1:43.88.
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