American Kendra Harrison made up for not making the U.S. Olympic team by breaking the 100m hurdles world record at the London Diamond League meeting on Friday, while Usain Bolt shows that he’s back on track to strike in Rio.
HARRISON DESTROYS FIELD TO WR
Meanwhile, after easing to a heat winning 12.40, Harrison returned to post 12.20 secs to win the women’s 100m hurdles and broke a 28-year-old world record on a very fast track.
The flash time on the clock read a surprised 12.58secs, but when the official time came up on the scoreboard, the U.S. star, who promised to do something special after failing to qualify for the Olympics, fell to the track in tears.
In fact, Harrison was unaware of her accomplishment until her teammate Nia Ali pointed it out on the big screen.
“To hear people call me a world record holder , it sounds remarkable,” the former Kentucky and NCAA star said. “I wanted to come out here and show the world that I still have it even though I won’t be going to the Olympics. I had to give it all I had.
“Initially I saw 12.5 and I was just happy to come out here and win,” she added. “I was so happy when it came up and I was feeling really blessed.
“It shows that even if you don’t go out there and make the team, you have to keep going and be strong. I just ran my best and look what happened.”
Second place in the race on Friday was USA’s Brianna Rollins in 12.57secs, with Kristi Catlin taking third in 12.59.
BOLT CONFIRMED FITNESS FOR RIO
At the third time of asking, Usain Bolt came out and run 19.89 seconds to confirm his fitness to the Jamaica team officials ahead of the Rio Games.
The Jamaican six-time Olympic champion was returning to action for the first time since a minor hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from the Jamaica Trials earlier this month.
It was only Bolt’s first 200m in 2016 and the world record holder debuted quite impressively.
MILLER READY FOR FELIX TEST
Bahamian Shaunae Miller was outstanding in the women’s 400m, winning the event with a new world-leading and personal best time of 49.55 seconds to improve Allyson Felix’s previous 2016 best time of 49.68.
The time saw Miller bettering her previous career best of 49.67, and the IAAF World Championships silver medalist was happy with her performance.
“I’m very pleased and I thank god for the performance,” the 22-year-old said. “Everything’s been going extremely well, my training’s been going great.
“I put in a lot of work for these competitions so I’m glad to see it’s paying off. It was a great feeling.”
Miller added: “My first time competing here at the stadium of London’s Olympic Games.
“Rio’s the next big goal. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m hoping for the best from it.”
Jamaican champion Stephenie Ann McPherson, who is targeting a medal at the Rio Olympics next month, finished strongly to take second place in 50.40, with American Natasha Hastings taking third place with 50.49.
Congrats Keni Harrison! Well deserved. I was so shocked when she didn’t make the US team.