by Charlene Rhinehart

July 31, 2021

Jamaican Track Star Elaine Thompson-Herah Makes History; Breaks Florence Griffith-Joyner’s Olympic Record

Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah is making headlines for her record breaking Olympic victory in the women’s 100 meters.

On Saturday, Thompson-Herah captured gold at the Tokyo Summer Games. The 29-year-old track star clocked in at 10.61 seconds, breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s mark of 10.62 from the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

“Behind this 10.6 was a lot of nerves, and I said: ‘You can do this, you’ve been here before, just execute,'” said Thompson-Herah, The Athletic reported.

Thompson-Herah is the defending champion. She led Jamaica’s victory by outsprinting second place finisher Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce who ran 10.74 seconds. Shericka Jackson came in third, taking home the bronze medal with 10.76 seconds.

Teahna Daniels was the only American sprinter to make the finals. She finished seventh with a time of 11.02.

Many fans believed that U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson would have been a top competitor at the Tokyo Olympics. Last month, the 21-year-old was suspended after she tested positive for marijuana. Her absence from the Olympic Games provided an opportunity for Jamaica to sweep the 100 meter race.

Elaine Thompson-Herah Is Making History at the Olympic Games

Thompson-Herah claimed her victory by pointing before she reached the finish line.

“I think I could have gone faster if I wasn’t pointing and celebrating, really,” Thompson-Herah said. “But to show you that there’s more in store. Hopefully one day I can unleash that time.”

Thompson Hera’s final time of 10.61 seconds was the second fastest time in history. Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, set the world record of 10.49 in July 1988.

“Two months ago, probably a month and a half, I didn’t think I’d be here today,” said Thompson-Herah. “I held my composure. I believed in myself.”

Thompson-Herah sprinted to the finish line even with an Achilles injury. She worked through her previous pain to land a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. Thompson-Herah trained for the moment and wasn’t going to allow anything to slow her down. Now, Thompson Herah is gearing up for her next historic race.

 

 

 


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