Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce once again defied all expectations by clocking the fastest time run over 100m by a woman in 33 years, and, in the process, inched closer to one of the most enduring records in all of sports, Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 10.49.
With the Olympic Games fast approaching on the horizon, but still plenty of time left to go even faster, Fraser-Pryce, the most dominant force in women’s sprinting for over a decade, must certainly have her eyes set on the only prize that has eluded her thus far.
But, even Fraser-Pryce’s sparkling new personal best time of 10.63, which sets her up as a prohibitive favourite for a third 100m title at this summer’s Olympic Games, is still 0.14th of a second off the long-standing, iron-clad mark set by the American in 1988.
For many who watched Fraser-Pryce's race, however, as impressive as it was, the time seems to have been set with the athlete having something in reserve. Knowing Fraser-Pryce, the question of how much faster can she go is one that will only be answered when the lights are brightest on the Tokyo Games world stage. She has freely admitted that, despite the fast time, she had only been focused on executing the race properly and the thought of running 10.6 had not crossed her mind.
Since it was set at the USA trial in 1988, Flo-Jo’s record has continued to court controversy. While some have pointed to unsubstantiated claims of drug use, some scholars have argued that the wind reading for the event could not have been correct. The athlete’s time of 10.49 was recorded with a wind reading of 0.0, despite, according to reports and footage analysis, there being clear evidence of wind at the venue. Despite that, it, however, remains on World Athletics books as the target to beat.
With all the controversy surrounding the record and how much the unbeatable mark has weighed down women’s sprinting, Fraser-Pryce managing to break the time would arguably be a bigger achievement than the 100m time set by Bolt. Prior to Bolt breaking the record the first time in 2008 (9.72), the previous holder was Asafa Powell who ran 9.74 and that was in 2007 and before that Powell again in 2005. Female sprinters have craned their necks to look up at Flo-Jo’s mark for 33 years.
In an illustrious career, Fraser-Pryce has made it a habit of rewriting the rules in terms of what’s possible. At 34-years-old she has not only said but proven that age is just a number and repeatedly silenced doubters with her work ethic, patience, and determination.
When she struck gold in the women’s 100m, at the Doha World Championships, she became the oldest female sprinter to win a global 100m title, amazingly, two years later she is running even faster than that.
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced Olympic legend Usain Bolt as an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in the West Indies and USA from 1-29 June 2024.
The announcement comes a few weeks ahead of the start of the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever that will inspire a new generation of fans. Bolt’s global appeal alongside his out of this world athletic achievements and ability to transcend boundaries makes him a perfect fit for the biggest T20 World Cup ever.
Bolt created history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when he achieved the ‘Triple-Triple’, three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. His journey to worldwide stardom started at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, all in world record times.
Bolt currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs. His first world record was in the 100m in 2008 when he posted a time of 9.72 secs in New York. He lowered it to 9.69 secs at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and then to 9.58 secs at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He holds the three fastest times ever run: 9.58, 9.64 and 9.69 seconds.
As an ambassador, Bolt will play a key role in promoting the event, starting with a cameo appearance in next week’s release of the event’s official anthem music video alongside iconic artists Sean Paul and Kes. The eight-time Olympic Gold Medallist will also attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies and be part of fan engagement events promoting the sport within the United States.
Usain Bolt expressed his excitement about his new role, saying: "I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Coming from the Caribbean where cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart, and I look forward to attending West Indies matches at the World Cup and making a contribution to the growth of cricket globally.
“While I will of course be supporting West Indies at the World Cup, getting the sport into the US is big for cricket. It’s the biggest sports market in the world and the energy that we will bring for the T20 World Cup is a huge opportunity leading towards cricket’s inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028.”
ICC Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Allardice said: "Usain Bolt is a global icon, we are thrilled to have him on board as an Ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 to engage with a new generation of fans. His passion for cricket is well known, making him the perfect fit for this role. Alongside his world record breaking achievements and energetic personality, he will add another exciting element to the World Cup.”
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be action packed with Bolt's presence adding a new level of excitement for fans globally. Fans can look forward to seeing the world's best teams battle it out for glory, with the World Cup opening match seeing co-host USA taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Saturday 1 June. For full match fixtures and tickets, including hospitality packages in both the West Indies and USA, visit tickets.t20worldcup.com
Bolt impressed with Jude Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid; challenges Mbappe to 100m sprint
Football fan Usain Bolt has praised Jude Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid and challenged Kylian Mbappe to show him how fast he is over 100 metres.
Former sprinter Bolt met Bellingham on the red carpet ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, where the England midfielder won the World Breakthrough of the Year prize.
The pair re-enacted Bellingham’s open arms goal celebration, which was seen again on Sunday after a stoppage time El Clasico winner against Barcelona.
It was Bellingham’s 21st goal of an extraordinary first season in Madrid, which could yet end up with a LaLiga and Champions League double for the 20-year-old.
“I think he’s impressed a lot of people, not just me,” said Bolt, a keen footballer.
“Coming into Real Madrid we expected great things from him. But he’s stepped up to a level that we didn’t expect him to be this great.
“He’s shown his young talent that he will be among the top footballers throughout his career.
“It’s a pleasure to meet him and just have a conversation with him.
“The young generation is really stepping up, so big up to the Jude.”
Jamaican sprinter Bolt, now 37, won eight Olympic gold medals in a glittering career on the track and remains the world record holder over 100 and 200 metres.
He was asked about Mbappe’s pace, with the France forward recognised as one of the quickest players in world football.
Bolt said: “I would love to have competed with Mbappe in my prime to see how close he would be (to him).
“I feel one day he just needs to run 100 metres and let me see the time.”
Bolt says he will be at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer and is “excited to see everything”.
He said: “I’m keen to have an all-access pass to everything. Anything I can do on that day I will be doing it. I’ll be like a kid in a candy store.
“But I’ll definitely be at the track on the days of the 100 and 200 metres finals.”
The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday, April 22 in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe. To find out more, visit www.laureus.com.
Asafa Powell's absence cost Jamaica a faster 4x100m world record in 2012, suggests Gatlin
In a recent episode of the Ready, Set, Go podcast, American sprint legend Justin Gatlin delved into the hypotheticals of Jamaica's historic 4x100m relay run at the London 2012 Olympics, suggesting that the world record of 36.84 seconds could have been even faster had former world record holder Asafa Powell been part of the lineup.
Powell, renowned for his blistering speed having held the 100m world record at 9.77 and 9.74s, missed out on the opportunity to join the likes of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, and Usain Bolt in that record-breaking relay team due to a groin injury sustained during the final of the 100m.
Gatlin, reflecting on the potential of the Jamaican squad, speculated that adding Powell to the mix could have propelled them to an astonishing 36.5-second mark.
"Adding Asafa Powell to that already formidable lineup of Bolt, Blake, Carter, and Frater could have pushed the team to an even faster time," Gatlin remarked on his podcast. Powell's absence, while the team still delivered Olympic gold, left room for speculation on just how much quicker they could have been.
Gatlin, a seasoned sprinter himself, understands the unique pressure and responsibility that comes with relay events. "There is a difference between being an individual runner at the Olympics or world championships and being part of a relay team," he explained. "If you falter as an individual, it's on you; but in a relay, it's on the country's back."
Reflecting on the challenges of breaking a world record in relay events, Gatlin emphasized the need for everything to align perfectly. "36.8 is a gigantic order. 37 low is a tall order," he admitted. "Everyone needs to be in peak condition and ready to run."
Looking ahead to the future, Gatlin also weighed in on Team USA's chances of breaking the 12-year-long Jamaican 4x100m relay world record in 2024. "It's going to take a near-perfect performance from a team firing on all cylinders to surpass what Jamaica achieved in 2012," Gatlin predicted.
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