Elaine Thompson 2016 Olympic 100m champion.
The women’s 100m Track and Field marquee match-up was on display. It all took place inside the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the 2016 games. Two-time 100m Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who won back-to-back titles was ready to defend her title. She was looking to become the first woman to win the 100m Olympic gold medal three times.
The spotlight was on both ladies to do well. Jamaica was feeling confident about bringing home the goal medal. Jamaica waited 60 years to get their first gold medal in the Olympic 100m race. It wasn’t until 2008 when they won the 100m race. So, with both athletes going head-to-head for the 100m goal medal, the people of Jamaica love their chances. Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are training partners at the MVP Track Club. Both ladies were rooting for each other to perform their best.
Second Fastest Time
After the race was over, Thompson recorded the second fastest time in women’s 100m Olympic history. Elaine won the 100m Olympic race in Rio with a time of 10.71 seconds. The sooner you know Elaine Thompson the better, she’s now the ‘Fastest woman in the world’. Tori Bowie of the USA finished second with a time of 10.83 seconds. While Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was third with a time of 10.87 seconds.
Elaine Thompson, who is from Banana Ground, Manchester in Jamaica, became the 17th Olympic 100m champion and the second from Jamaica as Shelly Ann Frasier-Pryce was the first. According to Thompson, “…I was even more motivated and was determined to put in the work and train hard.” She went on to say, “I look up to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce so much. She had such a rough season and competing with her is an honor.”
It was back in August 2015 after the IAAF World Championship in Beijing Elaine Grandmother Gloria Thompson spoke. She was quoted and said, “That is my girl, and this is only the start of it. You nuh see nutin yet.” But as Elaine spoke to her father Keith Thompson, she said, ‘Dad, mi good, man’. I’m looking forward to the Olympics. She was not kidding, in the 2016 Olympics, Elaine Thompson put Banana Ground on the map. The 24-year-old sprint champion have fulfilled her dream of becoming an Olympic champion. Olympian Vilma Charlton predicted that Elaine Thompson would rise to the top in become a world-class sprinter. In doing so, she will be taken to her birthplace Jamaica along for the ride.
Compete at a High Level
Meanwhile, Fraser-Pryce who has been battling a toe injury all season says she was thrilled to compete at such a high level to win the bronze medal. Shelly-Ann was happy that Thompson won the gold medal. Fraser-Pryce said she has seen how hard Thompson work, and it was her time. Shelly-Ann said, “In 2008 it was my time. In 2016 it’s her time and I’m happy Jamaica gets to keep the gold.” The gracious Queen of track Fraser –Pryce went on to say, “…To be able to stand on the podium with Elaine is a wonderful feeling.”
100m Olympic Race at Rio de Janiro
Another competitor from Jamaica who is not forgotten is Christania Williams. Christania who also competed in the 100m Olympic race was looking to walk away with a gold medal from Rio but instead she walked away with her fair share of injury. While we wish all the athletes all the best in getting to Rio, today the spot-light belongs to the 100m Olympic Champion of the 2016 games in Rio Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Elaine Thompson.