Jamaica sweeps 100-meter track podium

Jamaica on Saturday took home all three medals in the 100-meter women’s track final at the Tokyo Olympics, with defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah leading the pack as she became the fastest woman alive. 

Thompson-Herah finished the race in 10.61 seconds, the fastest time only behind the late Florence Griffith Joyner, who set the world record of 10.49 seconds at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, according to Reuters. 

With her victory, Thompson-Herah beat out her top rival, fellow Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who scored the silver with a time of 10.74 seconds. 

Shericka Jackson, also from Jamaica, took the bronze, finishing in 10.76 seconds. 

ESPN noted that Saturday was the first Jamaican sweep of medals in the 100-meter race since three female athletes from the country held all spots on the podium at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the same year Usain Bolt set his men’s world record time of 9.69 seconds. 

Thompson-Herah was seen smiling and screaming as she crossed the finish line, explaining to reporters after the race, “I knew that I won,” according to ESPN. 

“I put everything in there. I gave it 100, and I would say that I’m ready, super ready, but I had to just hold my composure to come out here take it runs by runs,” she explained, according to Reuters. 

She added, “It shows tonight that Elaine is back. She wasn’t gone anywhere.”

Thompson-Herah said she began pointing toward the clock as she approached the finish line, adding, “I think I could have gone faster if I wasn’t pointing and celebrating, really.” 

“But to show you that there’s more in store,” she added, according to ESPN. “Hopefully one day I can unleash that time.”

The gold medalist shared video of her winning race on Twitter, writing, “Part 1 of the mission completed all glory be to the almighty.” 

“This was extra special because of all the ups and downs,” she added. “Thanks for all the love and support I hope you all were entertained. More to come.”

Part 1 of the mission completed all glory be to the almighty. This was extra special because of all the ups and downs. Thanks for all the love and support I hope you all were entertained. More to come….#hiswill #hisglory #fearless #confident #onamisson #historybooks. pic.twitter.com/t9AUz8aZAA

— Elaine Thompson Herah (@FastElaine) July 31, 2021

Thompson-Herah is also the defending champion in the 200-meter race, where she is expected to once again face off against Fraser-Pryce on Tuesday. 

ESPN reported that in the semifinals for the 200-meter race earlier Saturday, the Jamaican athletes all beat 10.8 seconds to make it on the list of the 10 best race times in Olympic history.