by Larry EderThe women’s 100 meters does not, unfortunately get the hype that the mens’ race does, but it is just as compelling a story….
Women’s 100 meter final, 2012 London Olympics, 4 August, 2012,
photo by PhotoRun.net
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce won the 100 meters in Beijing. That simple. The top
100 meter women runners race often against each other. Shelly Ann has
suffered from some good races and some tough races. But one thing is for certain.
Everyone knew that, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce would be fighting to defend her
title.
Carmelita Jeter, photo by PhotoRun.net
Carmelita Jeter was at her first Olympic Games. She was the 2009 World Champion
at 100 meters, and she wanted the Olympic title as well. Her racing had gone well
this spring, but she had also battled some injuries and the concerns that come with
making it through the US Olympic Trials.
Tianna Madison, photo by PhotoRun.net
Tianna Madison, the 2005 World Champion at the long jump, had been moving to
the sprints. She took the bronze at the World Indoor Champs in 2012. Tianna Madison
had run well in the US trials and was ready to go.
Veronica Campbell-Brown, photo by PhotoRun.net
And then, there is Veronica Campbell-Brown. World champion many times over, Olympic
champion, Olympic medalist, VCB has wheels and she is not ready to retire.
Kelly Ann Baptiste got out fast, but Veronica Campbell Brown had the best start. VCB, Tianna Madison and Carmelita Jeter were together by 30 meters. Kelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce caught them
just before the half-way point.
The race was tough, as VCB, Carmelita Jeter,Tianna Madison and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce all
battled for the same position.
By seventy meters, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was flying. Tianna Madison was trying very hard to
keep up, as Carmelita Jeter and VCB battled on with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce is a consumate sprinter. She did continued to sprint hard, getting ahead
of Carmelita Jeter, and VCB.
In the end, joining only Gail Devers and Wyoma Tyus are women who have defended their
100 meter Olympic championship gold. Now, with this win, run in 10.75, Shelly-Ann Fraser
-Pryce has defended her 100m title. Carmelita Jeter took the silver in 10.78, her seasonal
best. In third, VCB added to her war chest, with a fine run of 10.81 for her seasonal best. In
fourth, Tianna Madison ran a pb of 10.85 and Allyson Felix took fifth in a personal best of 10.89!
After the race, one could see that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, like all defending athletes, had
seen some strong pressure. That she earned the title is true, that she overcame injuries,
losses, and se
lf doubt makes the victory that much sweeter.
lf doubt makes the victory that much sweeter.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reminded us that, on Monday, August 6, Jamaica would celebrate its
fiftieth year of independence. For all of Jamaica, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s victory was sweet.
That two of the medalist were Jamaicans made it event sweeter.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 100 meters, gold, 2012 London Olympics,
photo by PhotoRun.net
That three Americans were in the top five meant that the 4 x 100 meters, to be held at the end
of the meet, would even more of a battle.
04 August 2012 – 21:55
Wind: 1.5 m/s
| Position | Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | Mark | . | React |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 2197 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | JAM | 10.75 | . | 0.153 |
| 2 | 5 | 3299 | Carmelita Jeter | USA | 10.78 | (SB) | 0.153 |
| 3 | 4 | 2194 | Veronica Campbell-Brown | JAM | 10.81 | (SB) | 0.143 |
| 4 | 9 | 3306 | Tianna Madison | USA | 10.85 | (PB) | 0.171 |
| 5 | 8 | 3287 | Allyson Felix | USA | 10.89 | (PB) | 0.176 |
| 6 | 2 | 3055 | Kelly-Ann Baptiste | TRI | 10.94 | . | 0.128 |
| 7 | 3 | 1402 | Murielle Ahoure | CIV | 11.00 | . | 0.156 |
| 8 | 6 | 2584 | Blessing Ok agbare | NGR | 11.01 | . | 0.165 |
