Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah has won her second consecutive Olympic gold in the women’s 100 meters after finishing in 10.61 seconds Saturday at the Tokyo Games.
Thompson-Herah’s time set an Olympic record, surpassing Florence Griffith-Joyner’s time of 10.62 set in 1988. Griffith-Joyner holds the world record of 10.49, which she also set that year.
Thompson-Herah narrowly beat teammates Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.74) and Shericka Jackson (10.76).
Fraser-Pryce was favored to win the race, having taken gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. She was seeking to join fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt as the only sprinters in history to win three Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters.
However, Thompson-Herah now also has two Olympic titles in the event, following up on her gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Teahna Daniels, the lone American in the race, finished seventh in 11.02.
NEW OLYMPIC RECORD!@FastElaine defends her #Olympics 100m title – running the second fastest time EVER. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/9UA0ABtuEu
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2021