Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce kicked off her final Olympic journey with the second fastest time of all the heats, securing her spot in the women’s 100m semi-finals in Paris.
The 37-year-old, five time Olympic veteran completed her first round this morning with an easy 10.91-second run, finishing just behind Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josée Ta Lou’ 10.87 seconds. Team Jamaica running mates Tia Clayton and Shashalee Forbes have also advanced. Clayton, competing in heat four, finished second with a time of 11.00 seconds, while Forbes, running in heat six, finished second with a time of 11.19 seconds. All runners placing in the top three of their heat are expected to advance to the finals.
All eyes are on Fraser-Pryce for the finals, with anticipation building for her matchup against the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson effortlessly took first place in her Olympic debut with a time of 10.94 seconds. Although Fraser-Pryce’s time was faster, announcers at Richardson’s heat noted that the young sprinter appeared to be significantly holding back. The upcoming race promises an exciting clash between the seasoned legend and the rising star.
The women’s 100m semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow, August 3, at 1:50pm EST, with the finals taking place later the same day at 3:20pm EST.
The men’s 100m that will feature a showdown between two Jamaican sprinters, Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, and American Noah Lyles is set for Saturday, August 3 (100m round 1) Sunday, August 4 (semifinals and final). The men’s 200m is Monday, August 5 (round 1), Wednesday, August 7 (semifinals) and Thursday, August 8 (final).
