Diamond League
Elaine Thompson-Herah, the three-time gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan in August, is to be rewarded with a Jamaican diplomatic passport, Minister Olivia Grange announced on Wednesday.
Grange, the Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport, was speaking at a welcome-home ceremony for Thompson-Herah at the VIP room at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Thompson-Herah, the 2016 Rio Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m, became the first woman to defend both titles at the same Olympic Games when she won the 100m in an Olympic record of 10.61 and then the 200m in a new national record of 21.53.
She would go on to win a third gold medal as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team that set a new national record of 41.02, the third-fastest time in history.
Two weeks later, she would lower her 10.61 lifetime best to 10.54 in Eugene, Oregon before reeling of time of 10.64, 10.72 and 10.65, the latter occurring at the Diamond League final in Zurich on September 9 where she was crowned Diamond League 100m champion. In doing so, she became the first woman to run four wind-legal times under 10.70, eclipsing the previous record of three set by the polarizing Florence Griffith-Joyner of the United States.
In recognition of her outstanding performances for Jamaica, Thompson-Herah is to be conferred with the Order of Distinction during the National Heroes Day Honour Awards set for October 18, and as Minister Grange revealed on Wednesday, she will now carry a diplomatic passport.
“We will not be able to do the big splash we would want to but we will still have an event that will say to Jamaica and the world and (the athletes) that we appreciate them and that we love them,” Minister Grange said while revealing plans to celebrate Jamaica’s successful Olympic team before her announcement aimed specifically at Thompon-Herah.
“Elaine, it was our honour to bestow on you the Order of Distinction in the Commander Class, it is our honour to ensure that you now carry a diplomatic passport. Wherever you go in the world, you will be treated appropriately.”
In accepting, the double-triple Olympic champion said her success this season has come about because of the hard work she put in and a commitment to achieving her goals notwithstanding the challenges that came with managing her long-running Achilles injury.
She said the faster she ran the more she believed that the world record of 10.49 is well within reach.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Edwin Allen second in Champions of America girls’ 4x800m as Union Catholic sets National Record
Edwin Allen had to settle for second position in the Championships of America high school girls’ 4x800m, as they were soundly beaten by New Jersey-based favourites Union Catholic in the final on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
Not only did Union Catholic defend their title, but the team of Jimmiea King, Peyton Hollis, Sophia Thompson, and Paige Sheppard did so in emphatic fashion, clocking a National Record of 8:41.20. They lowered the previous mark of 8:43.12 set in 2008 by Roosevelt.
Edwin Allen’s quartet of Tanesia Gardiner, Monique Stewart, Kevongaye Fowler, and Rickeisha Simms, gave a credible effort in second at 8:50.76, while Virginia-based South Lakes (8:50.8), were third.
The other Jamaican schools, Holmwood Technical (8:58.94) and Alphansus Davis (9:13.83), placed fifth and ninth respectively.
Hydel wins third Championship of America 4x400m title in a row at Penn Relays
Hydel High successfully defended their Championship of America 4x400m title on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The quartet of Alliah Baker, Jody-Ann Daley, Nastassia Fletcher and Abigail Campbell combined to run 3:34.78 to win ahead of Bullis School (3:35.17) and Union Catholic (3:41.75).
Hydel captain Alliah Baker reacted to her second gold medal of the meet.
“I am not shocked but I’m very excited. This is my last year and I’m very happy to finish my last year with two gold medals,” she said.
Hydel have now won this event three straight times and five times in the last six years.
Hydel successfully defends High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m title
Hydel High successfully defended their High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m relay title, as Jamaican schools swept the podium on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The team comprising Shemonique Hazel, Alliah Baker, Shania Myers and Jody-Ann Daley, clocked 44.71s in victory, as they fended off the challenge of Edwin Allen’s quartet Trezeguet Taylor, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, Renecia Edwards and Jounee Armstrong of Edwin Allen, who clocked 44.96s. St Jago's team of Briana Campbell, Adora Campbell, Bryana Davidson and Quanna Walker, placed third in 45.14s.
Hydel’s captain Baker beamed with delight at the feat.
“We came out here to win and we executed we always say that we are one team, we are here for each other and so we just came out and delivered. We were confident, so we just told each other to stay calm and trust God,” she said shortly after the race.
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