![]() ![]() “Maybe tomorrow I can imagine what people are saying, but today it is incredible.” “It’s a dream, it’s fantastic,” Jacobs said. But he chose the right time and place to announce himself on the world’s biggest stage. He is the European indoor 60m champion and broke the Italian 100m record in May with a time of 9.95. The bald-headed, barrel-chested Italian did not come completely out of nowhere. In a race with no obvious favourites, Jacobs was still a major surprise. The pre-Olympic favorite, US champion and world-leader Trayvon Bromell, failed to qualify for the final. Three other runners also ran sub-10 seconds in the final: South Africa’s Akani Simbine finished fourth in 9.93, the USA's Ronnie Baker was fifth in 9.95 and China’s Su Bingtian was sixth in 9.98. The Italian pulled in front after 60 meters and glanced to his right as he crossed the line in front of the USA's Fred Kerley, who took silver in a personal best 9.84, and Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who earned his second consecutive bronze in a PB of 9.89. ![]() Overlooked as a serious medal contender, the 26-year-old Jacobs clocked a European record of 9.80 to win Italy’s first ever Olympic 100m gold and claim the unofficial title of the world’s fastest man. She later said she would be unable to compete in the 200m because of an injury.Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs, a former long jumper appearing in his first Olympics, stunned the field on Sunday (1) to claim the first men’s 100m gold medal of the post-Usain Bolt era. Outside the top three, Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou finished fourth for the second consecutive Olympics with a time of 10.91, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was a surprise absentee from the final having failed to qualify earlier on Friday. Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce and Jackson, who has stepped down in distance from the 400m to sprinting events, will face stiff competition from the USA’s Gabby Thomas and the Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo.īut based on Friday’s race, another Jamaican one-two-three isn’t entirely out of the question nor, for that matter, are more blisteringly fast times. The heats for the 200m get underway on Monday with the final taking place the following day. There’s a long way to go, we have the 200m and 4x100m.” “I’m hoping that they’re celebrating with a lot of positive energy and they’re celebrating each and every one of the athletes and just continue to support us. It was a repeat of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when three Jamaican athletes – Fraser-Pryce, Sherone Simpson, and Kerron Stewart – also topped the podium.Īsked about the celebrations that will likely ensue back home in Jamaica, Fraser-Pryce said: “I’m hoping they’re not defying the curfew orders, but I’m sure it’s going to be remarkable to have three of our ladies stand on the podium like we did in 2008, it’s incredible. INA FASSBENDER/AFP/AFP via Getty Imagesĭefending world champion Fraser-Pryce – who clocked 10.74 – now has two golds, a silver, and a bronze in the 100m across four Olympic Games, while Jackson – third in 10.76 – adds to her 4x400m silver and 400m bronze from Rio. The stadium lighting was dimmed and the track illuminated with the names of each competitor as they were announced to the few spectators dotted around the arena – a dazzling precursor befitting of an event that promised great drama after six athletes had run under 11 seconds in the heats on Friday.Īnd those present on a hot, humid evening in Tokyo weren’t disappointed, as Thompson-Herah went neck-and-neck with Fraser-Pryce at the halfway point before pulling away in the final stages.įraser-Pryce and Thompson-Herah lead the way in the 100m final. ![]() However, an impressive light show ensured the minutes before the race weren’t devoid of energy or excitement. With fans barred from attending Olympic events in Tokyo amid the pandemic, the final was held in the near-empty surroundings of the 68,000-seat Olympic Stadium. ![]() “Behind this 10.6 was a lot of nerves, and I said: ‘You can do this, you’ve been here before, just execute,’” she told reporters. ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesĪnother Jamaican, Usain Bolt, famously won three consecutive Olympic 100m gold medals between 20, and Thompson-Herah now has a chance to do the same in Paris. Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce, and Jackson race clear of the field in the women's 100m final. ![]()
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