Elaine Thompson-Herah Breaks Olympic Record, Leads Jamaican Sweep In Women’s 100m Final


Elaine Thompson’s 10.61 makes her the second-fastest woman in history behind FloJo.

Elaine Thompson-Herah broke Florence Griffith Joyner’s Olympic record in 10.61 seconds and into a 0.6 m/s headwind to lead a Jamaican sweep of the medals in the women’s 100 meters.

Griffith Joyner’s Olympic record of 10.62 was set into a headwind at the 1988 Olympics. Thompson-Herah successfully defended her Olympic title from 2016 to become just the fourth woman to win two Olympic medals.

“I knew I had it in me but obviously I’ve had my ups and downs with injuries,” Thompson-Herah said after the race. “I’ve been keeping the faith all this time. It is amazing.”

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took silver in 10.74. Shericka Jackson clocked a personal best of 10.76 to snag bronze. This is the second time in history and the first time since 2008 that Jamaica has swept the women’s 100 meter medals.

“It is special,” Jackson said. “I am glad that I am among that one, two, three. It is the first time I have run the 100 meters at a major championship and I got a medal.”

 

Elaine Thompson-Herah broke Florence Griffith Joyner’s Olympic record in 10.61 seconds and into a 0.6 m/s headwind to lead a Jamaican sweep of the medals in the women’s 100 meters.

Griffith Joyner’s Olympic record of 10.62 was set into a headwind at the 1988 Olympics. Thompson-Herah successfully defended her Olympic title from 2016 to become just the fourth woman to win two Olympic medals.

“I knew I had it in me but obviously I’ve had my ups and downs with injuries,” Thompson-Herah said after the race. “I’ve been keeping the faith all this time. It is amazing.”

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took silver in 10.74. Shericka Jackson clocked a personal best of 10.76 to snag bronze. This is the second time in history and the first time since 2008 that Jamaica has swept the women’s 100 meter medals.

“It is special,” Jackson said. “I am glad that I am among that one, two, three. It is the first time I have run the 100 meters at a major championship and I got a medal.”