The women’s 200m final provided much anticipation and excitement as was the case with 100m final. But this time, Briana Williams did not participate because of a fever after running the 100m final, and for which medical exemption was sought for her, by her coach, Ato Boldon. However, notwithstanding this, there was much to look forward to, as there was renewed rivalry between Fraser-Pryce and Thompson. However, Thompson is by far more dominant in the 200m than Fraser-Pryce, and so for many, the eventual outcome was a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, as per usual, Fraser-Pryce diehard fans were hopeful that she could avenge the defeat suffered to Thompson in the 100m, on last Friday night. But that was not to be! Different event, worse treatment!
The Qualifiers
From semi-final #1, Thompson qualified with an almost effortless 22.98, while from semi-final #2, Fraser-Pryce qualified with a respectable 22.58, the fastest qualifying time. These two were joined by Sashalee Forbes (23.02), Schillone Calvert-Powell (23.20), Asiane Hall (23.41), Rene Medley (23.43), Simone Facey (23.74). The Bahamian Antoniqie Strachan (23.03) was not allowed to run in the final, as per the JAAA’s rule.
The Race, a world leading time
Thompson ran from lane 5, while Fraser-Pryce ran just inside her, from lane 4. The gun fired, and once again, the diminutive Fraser-Pryce with her trademark bullet start, and her low center of gravity, sought to press home an early advantage on the curve. Thompson, however, would have none of it. And despite running a modest curve, Thompson kept Fraser-Pryce in check, coming off the bend and then used her superior speed endurance to motor away from her, and in the process, creating a huge chasm between them both, as she crossed the finish line.
This time, there was no such talk of a photo finish, no similar time given, and then to be separated on the thousand scale. It was an obvious and emphatic victory by Thompson over Fraser-Pryce, producing 22 seconds dead, the fastest time in the world this year over the distance by a female. Fraser-Pryce produced a smart time of 22. 22 seconds, to take the runner-up spot, while Schillone Calvert-Powell was a bit off the pace in 22.98 seconds to finish third.
At the end of the National Trials, Thompson was crowned double sprint champion, even as Fraser-Pryce was runner-up on both occasions. Briana Williams was third in the 100m, and Schillone Calvert-Powell was third in the 200m.
The defender of Jamaica’s honour
What is crystal clear, however we choose to look at it, Elaine Thompson is Jamaica’s greatest ever female sprinter, and the sprinter on which much depend to ward off the multi-pronged challenges that will be mounted primarily by the US, Netherland, Canada, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and England.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sports Writer
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