Tokyo 2020: Jamaican Sprinter Elaine Thompson sets new Olympic Record

On July 31, 2021, Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson Herah successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's 100m final. During this process, she simultaneously broke Florence Griffith Joyner's 33-year-old Olympic record. Florence Griffith Joyner also known as Flo-Jo held this record for 33 years since 1988. Elaine Thompson-Herah set the new record of 10.61 seconds and became the second-fastest ever to complete a women's 100m race.

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It was an all Jamaican clean sweep at the women's 100m race as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah's rival, won the silver medal after finishing the event in 10.74 seconds. Shericka Jackson, also from Jamaica, took the bronze medal with a time of 10.76.

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Elaine's timing in Tokyo broke the Olympics record of 33 years set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988. She is also the second Jamaican woman to defend her title in the event. After Shelly-Ann's back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2012. The win also continues Jamaica's domination in the event, winning the gold since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finishing in the top three since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.