KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the performance of Elaine Thompson, whom she describes as “an outstanding record-setter” at the Diamond League meet in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday.
Thompson set a new Diamond League record of 21.85 seconds to win the 200 metres ahead of Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands and Allyson Felix of the United States. Jamaica’s Simone Facey and Veronica Campbell-Brown finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Minister Grange said:
“Elaine Thompson is a top-class champion. She showed the world what she’s capable of in Rio by winning both sprint events and she continues to show her class by setting this meet record in the Diamond League. Elaine is an outstanding record-setter.”
The Minister also congratulated Asafa Powell who won the 100 metres.
“Another sub-10 (9.94) for victory for @officialasafa in Zurich today. Well done,” tweeted Minister Grange.
Omar McLeod finished sixth, behind Powell. The victory enabled Powell to win the Diamond League trophy for the 100 metres.
Minister Grange also sent congratulations to the “outstanding Christania Williams on winning the 100 metres.” Williams, Thompson, Campbell-Brown and Facey also won the women’s 4×100 metres.
The Minister also expressed appreciation for Aisha Praught (3000m Steeplechase) and Megan Simmonds (100m Hurdles) who also competed in the Zurich Diamond League.