Elaine Thompson-Herah defends 100m title as Jamaica sweep podium; GB earn three spots in women's 800m final
Jamaica win gold, silver and bronze
Asher-Smith reveals she is out of Tokyo 2020 Olympics with hamstring tear in heartbreaking interview
In the moments immediately after one of the greatest sprint races in history, the tension was palpable.
Elaine Thompson-Herah had just broken a 33-year-old Olympic record to win the women’s 100 metres in 10.61 seconds and lead a historic Jamaican clean sweep of the podium alongside Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. It was time for a nation to rejoice.
But on the track, strained relationships were revealing themselves to the world.
As Thompson-Herah celebrated retaining her Olympic title alone, Fraser-Pryce and Jackson stood some way apart from their compatriot. An age passed before they finally walked over to the winner and gave her no more than a cursory pat on the back.
While the Jamaican people partied back home 8,000 miles away, the Tokyo Olympic Stadium track frosted over.
Why? That was the main question. What was the issue between Fraser-Pryce, a double Olympic 100m champion who ran 10.74sec for silver, and Thompson-Herah, now also a double Olympic 100m champion?
Asked to describe their relationship afterwards, the two women sat awkwardly silent for almost 10 seconds before Fraser-Pryce finally answered: “I always have respect for my competitors. I believe that each athlete that gets up, works hard, they are dedicated.
“I would definitely say that for Elaine and for Shericka. I have the utmost respect for both ladies.”
It was an answer that shed little light on the obvious animosity. The pair shared a coach, Stephen Francis, for much of their careers and were once very close.
There is a suggestion that the elder stateswoman Fraser-Pryce, 34, grew unhappy with the level of respect shown by her younger rival to senior figures in the group. Sometimes it is just too difficult to have two top dogs in the same place.
After a brief split with Francis’s group in 2016 that lasted only a few months, Fraser-Pryce continued to train alongside Thompson-Herah, 29, until leaving permanently for a new group at the start of this year.
Their performances on Saturday night cemented their statuses as the greatest female sprinters of the 21st century. Thompson-Herah’s winning time - a personal best - consigned the dubious Olympic record set by American Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988 to history despite the Jamaican celebrating a few metres from the finish line.
Having been expected to gain her customary early lead, Fraser-Pryce paid the price for a rare average start and was almost pipped on the line for silver by Jackson, who clocked 10.76sec.
Of her obvious unhappiness at being beaten, Fraser-Pryce said: “Have you ever lost anything? You’re definitely going to feel disappointed. That’s your first reaction.
“I didn’t run the race I wanted to run. You’re disappointed but it happened, you move on and you’re grateful for the opportunity.”
Amid talk of ‘super shoes’ and the newly relaid Tokyo track aiding fast times, Thompson-Herah insisted neither were a factor and her success was due to training alone.
Asked about breaking Griffith Joyner’s Olympic mark and the possibility of closing in on the American’s 10.49sec world record, Thompson-Herah said: “I didn’t have a time in my head. I was just trying to have the best race tonight.
“I wasn't looking at any record or any time, but eventually those times will erase. Even if it takes five years, they will erase. A lot of women are coming up and rising, so to run this Olympic record sends out a warning that anything is possible.”
All three Jamaican medal winners go again next week in the 200m, which will be the last individual Olympic race of Fraser-Pryce’s career. Competing at an Olympics for the first time since giving birth to her son in 2017, she confirmed next year would be her final season.
In Dina Asher-Smith’s unexpected absence, Britain’s surprise representative was Daryll Neita, who was frustrated not to match her 10.96sec personal best from the heats as she finished last in 11.12sec.
“That wasn’t good,” she said. “I’m so disappointed. I’m not happy with that at all. That’s not what I came here to do.”
Britain earn three spots in women's 800m final
By Jeremy Wilson in Tokyo
Britain will take up three of the eight places in a women’s Olympic 800m final for the first time on Tuesday after Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie and Alex Bell all ran under two minutes to advance past the semi-finals.
With Laura Muir also going in the 1,500m, the women’s middle-distance events have emerged as some of Team GB’s best track and field medal hopes in what already promised to be a challenging Olympics for British Athletics.
Hodgkinson finished strongly over the final 50m to win her semi-final in a time of 1 min 59.12 sec after Bell had earlier been forced to run within half a second of her 1 min 58.34 sec lifetime best to qualify as one of two fastest finishers. Reekie, Muir’s training partner and the fastest this year of the three British women, had earlier also finished powerfully over the final straight to finish just behind Jamaica’s Natoya Goule in the first heat.
“Three out of three, definitely history being made here right now, so a big thumbs up from me,” said the 19-year-old Hodgkinson.
Reekie said that she felt “in amazing shape” and, while Goule and America’s Athing Mu have both run faster this year, believes that she is capable of emulating Kelly Holmes’s triumph at the Athens Olympics 17 years ago.
“I’ve got to race it smart - I’m not under-23s anymore and I can’t afford to make mistakes,” she said. “I’ve definitely got big dreams. I stand on the start line every day to try and win. if I come away with a medal I’ll be really happy. British middle distance running is just amazing right now and I’m so excited looking ahead for all the races.”
Bell had not even expected to be competing in Tokyo a month ago but has grasped the opportunity following Muir’s decision to focus exclusively on the 1,500m. “A week prior to flying out I can’t tell you the lows I was facing and feeling, my world flipped round with one phone call and I was happy to grab the opportunity with both hands and just enjoy it,” she said. “I cried on the phone to the team leader – he said it was the best phone call he ever had.”
Great Britain’s three 100m men’s sprinters also all made it through to Sunday’s semi-finals, with Zharnel Hughes (10.04 sec) and Reece Prescod (10.12 sec) posting season best times and CJ Ujah qualifying in 10.08 sec. Only four athletes dipped under 10 seconds, with Canada's Andre de Grasse (9.91 sec) qualifying fastest ahead of Marcell Jacobs (9.94 sec), Fred Kerley (9.97sec) and Enoch Adegoke (9.98 sec). The inaugural 4x400m mixed relay gold medal was won by Poland, with the British team finishing sixth, two seconds outside the United States’ bronze medal. There was also a Swedish one-two in the discus, with the sounds of ABBA ringing out an empty Olympic Stadium as Daniel Stahl and Simon Pettersson celebrated their gold and silver medals.
100m final and semi-finals as they happened
01:10 PMThe champion, Elaine Thompson speaks
God is amazing. I have been struggling with my injuries back and forth. I have read all the comments [criticising me]]. I take all my losses and my defeats and use them as my motivation.
My chest is tight because I'm so happy.
01:07 PMDaryll Neita speaks
Great to make the Olympic final, that was my ambition and nothing less but his performance does not [represent] me. It was the Olympic final but ... it wasn't the race I wanted.
I take away that I belong here, I've really grown, there's no limits.
[The support] has been incredible, best coach family support system and friends. I'm really positive [about what I can achieve].
01:04 PMThompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce do not get on
The champion, Elaine Thompson speaks
God is amazing. I have been struggling with my injuries back and forth. I have read all the comments [criticising me]]. I take all my losses and my defeats and use them as my motivation.
My chest is tight because I'm so happy.
01:07 PMDaryll Neita speaks
Great to make the Olympic final, that was my ambition and nothing less but his performance does not [represent] me. It was the Olympic final but ... it wasn't the race I wanted.
I take away that I belong here, I've really grown, there's no limits.
[The support] has been incredible, best coach family support system and friends. I'm really positive [about what I can achieve].
01:04 PMThompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce do not get on
Daryll Neita speaks
Great to make the Olympic final, that was my ambition and nothing less but his performance does not [represent] me. It was the Olympic final but ... it wasn't the race I wanted.
I take away that I belong here, I've really grown, there's no limits.
[The support] has been incredible, best coach family support system and friends. I'm really positive [about what I can achieve].
01:04 PMThompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce do not get on
Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce do not get on
And congratulating the winner must have stuck in the throat.
Fire in the race, frost after the finish of that spectacular women's 100m final.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) July 31, 2021
12:57 PMSix runners under 11sec
- Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.61 OR
- Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce JAM 10.74
- Shericka Jackson JAM 10.76
- Marie-Josee Ta Lou CIV 10.91
- Anja Del Ponte SUI 10.97
- Mujinga Kambundji SUI 10.99
- Teahana Daniels USA 11.02
- Daryll Neita GBR 11.12
Six runners under 11sec
- Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.61 OR
- Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce JAM 10.74
- Shericka Jackson JAM 10.76
- Marie-Josee Ta Lou CIV 10.91
- Anja Del Ponte SUI 10.97
- Mujinga Kambundji SUI 10.99
- Teahana Daniels USA 11.02
- Daryll Neita GBR 11.12
Quickest final ever.
12:54 PMDaryll Neita was eighth
- Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.61 OR
- Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce JAM 10.74
- Shericka Jackson JAM 10.76
12:52 PMJamaica sweep
- Thompson-Hera 10.61
- Fraser-Pryce 10.74
- Jackson 10.76
12:52 PMDefending champion wins
Daryll Neita was eighth
- Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.61 OR
- Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce JAM 10.74
- Shericka Jackson JAM 10.76
12:52 PMJamaica sweep
- Thompson-Hera 10.61
- Fraser-Pryce 10.74
- Jackson 10.76
12:52 PMDefending champion wins
Jamaica sweep
- Thompson-Hera 10.61
- Fraser-Pryce 10.74
- Jackson 10.76
12:52 PMDefending champion wins
Defending champion wins
Elaine Thompson-Herah with an OR.
12:51 PMThey're away
They're away
No glitsches.
12:51 PMFinal moments
Final moments
Portentous humming sound effect before they're called to their marks. Fraser-Pryce all the way for me.
12:49 PMMichael Johnson
Michael Johnson
Thinks it will be a Jamaican one-two-three with Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson battling only for colours. Marie-Josee Ta Lou has to be in with a shout.
12:47 PMThe lights dim
The lights dim
And the 100m track is illuminated in a hugely impressive light show culminating in the finalists' names alongside the Olympic rings.
12:46 PMThe runners are out for the 100m final
The runners are out for the 100m final
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is wearing a glorious yellow and red Irish. Daryll Neita is in lane two. They have practised their starts and are about to be introduced.
12:23 PMYou can read Dina Asher-Smith's full interview here
You can read Dina Asher-Smith's full interview here
12:19 PMDaryll Neita already has an Olympic bronze
Daryll Neita already has an Olympic bronze
From the 4x100m relay at Rio and two world silvers in the sprint relay. Her 10.96sec for the 100m makes her the second fastest British woman in history. She went to Prendergast School in Brockley, south London, before moving to Oaklands College in St Albans.
11:58 AMAsher-Smith on Neita after withdrawing from the Olympic Games
I'm really proud of Daryll. She's had a fantastic championships - we thought 10.9 was on the cards for her and she's done it and absolutely deserves it.
Asher-Smith on Neita after withdrawing from the Olympic Games
I'm really proud of Daryll. She's had a fantastic championships - we thought 10.9 was on the cards for her and she's done it and absolutely deserves it.
11:11 AMDaryll Neita's moment of realisation
Daryll Neita's moment of realisation
'I'm in the final?' she yells. 'I'm in the final!'
11:05 AMSome reaction
Some reaction
From The Telegraph's chief sports writer:
Not sure Dina Asher-Smith's travails here can be blamed solely on a hamstring problem. Thompson Herah, Jackson, Ta Lou and Fraser-Pryce all just ran under her lifetime best of 10.83 – in semi-finals.
— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) July 31, 2021
11:01 AMBen Bloom reports from the Olympic Stadium
Ben Bloom reports from the Olympic Stadium
Wow. The British athletics world is in shock right now. It is no exaggeration to suggest that Dina Asher-Smith represented approximately half of the country’s medal hopes at these Olympics, with podium chances in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
With the first of those now gone, there must be serious doubts over whether she has any hope of achieving the others.
It is a devastating blow for an athlete who has gone from strength to strength in recent years and was firmly in the hunt for medals here.
Could she compete with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah at their best? Probably not. But a bronze medal was there for the taking.
Let us also not forget Daryll Neita, who has surpassed all expectations to make the 100m final. Neita became only the second British woman (after Asher-Smith) to break the 11-second barrier in the heats and backed it up by clocking exactly 11.00sec in the semi-finals.
Both from the same part of England and with just eight months between them, the pair have grown up racing against each other. But no one would have predicted Neita making this Olympic final and Asher-Smith missing out. What would the odds have been on that?
10:56 AM... and the ecstasy
... and the ecstasy
10:54 AMThe agony ...
The agony ...
10:48 AMLane draw for the women's 100m final
Lane draw for the women's 100m final
Lane one will be left empty
Daryll Neita GBR
Teahana Daniels USA
Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce JAM
Marie-Josee Ta Lou CIV
Shericka Jackson JAM
Anja Del Ponte SUI
Mujinga Kambundji SUI
10:45 AMDan Zeqiri is blogging the other athletics' heats
Dan Zeqiri is blogging the other athletics' heats
Please join him here for the men's 100m first round.
10:42 AMLine up for the final
Line up for the final
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce JAM 10.73
Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.76
Marie-Josee TA Lou CIV 10.79
Shericka Jackson JAM 10.79
Mujinga Kambundji SUI 10.96
Teahana Daniels USA 10.98
Daryll Neita GBR 11.00
Anja Del Ponte SUI 11.01
10:35 AMDaryll Neita makes the final
Daryll Neita makes the final
10.992, pipping Ahye's 10.993!
10:34 AMAsher-Smith is out of the final
Asher-Smith is out of the final
Daryll Neita ran 11sec, same as Ahye. How will they split them or will they allow nine in the final?
10:33 AMThe time for the third place was
The time for the third place was
10.98 for Teahana Daniels.
10:32 AMFraser-Pryce wins by a canter
Fraser-Pryce wins by a canter
Kambundji second.
10:32 AMOn the blocks
On the blocks
Neita in lane four ...
10:29 AMThe third semi-final
The third semi-final
Features three sub 11sec qualifiers - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price, Mujinga Kambundji and GB's Daryll Neita.
10:28 AMAsher Smith is second fastest 'loser' so far
Asher Smith is second fastest 'loser' so far
But could be knocked out of the final by someone going quicker than 11.05sec and finishing third in the final semi-final.
Asha Philip was eighth in 11.30.
10:26 AMFirst three in second semi-final
- Ta Lou 10.79
- Jackson 10.79
- Ahye 11.00
10:25 AMTa Lou and Jackson cross line virtually together
First three in second semi-final
- Ta Lou 10.79
- Jackson 10.79
- Ahye 11.00
10:25 AMTa Lou and Jackson cross line virtually together
Ta Lou and Jackson cross line virtually together
Ta Lou wins in 10.79.
10:24 AMTa Lou is the favourite in second semi-final
Ta Lou is the favourite in second semi-final
Shericka Jackson in lane six is going to take some beating, too.
Asher-Smith needs a slow race.
10:23 AMBBC verdict
BBC verdict
Michael Johnson: "I think the sharpness isn't there, she gets a great start but then stalls. The second problem is her ability to strive and pick up the power you need at the end of the race just isn't there.
Denise Lewis: "She looks as if she's race light, ring rusty. She will be bitterly disappointed with the execution of her race."
10:20 AMAsha Philip goes in lane seven in the second semi-final
Asha Philip goes in lane seven in the second semi-final
Top two go through then the next two quickest.
10:19 AMDoesn't look quick enough
Doesn't look quick enough
For Asher-Smith to make the final. She was definitely stretching and though she started quickly and was second for 80m, Del Ponte outpaced her at 85m and went through the tape serenely.
No wind.
10:17 AMFirst three
- Thompson-Herah 10.76
- Del Ponte 11.01
- Asher-Smith 11.05
10:16 AMAsher-Smith third
First three
- Thompson-Herah 10.76
- Del Ponte 11.01
- Asher-Smith 11.05
10:16 AMAsher-Smith third
Asher-Smith third
And left with agonising wait.
Thompson-Herah first, Del Ponte second.
10:15 AMThe b of the Bang!
The b of the Bang!
They're away first time.
10:15 AMUp to the blocks
Up to the blocks
Confident strides into position.
10:15 AMAsher-Smith looks relaxed
Asher-Smith looks relaxed
As they're introduced to the camera. Del Ponte to her left, Prandini to her right.
10:13 AMThe women bounce and are called to their blocks
The women bounce and are called to their blocks
Dina actually in lane seven. Lane five is empty because of Okagbare's suspension.
10:12 AMThey're ready to go
They're ready to go
Asher-Smith in lane six. Thompson-Herah in lane four.
Only first two are guaranteed a spot in the final.
10:11 AMDina speaks
If I lean into what I'm good at and try hard and chase my dreams I have the opportunity to provide a moment in people s lives where they can look back and say that made me smile, that made me happy.
I run at my best when I'm relaxed. There's no positives for me in knowing everything [the pbs] of everyone else.
10:03 AMSomething reassuring
Dina speaks
If I lean into what I'm good at and try hard and chase my dreams I have the opportunity to provide a moment in people s lives where they can look back and say that made me smile, that made me happy.
I run at my best when I'm relaxed. There's no positives for me in knowing everything [the pbs] of everyone else.
10:03 AMSomething reassuring
Something reassuring
About seeing the BBC's athletics Dream Team reassembled in the studio - Michael Johnson, Denise Lewis, Jess Ennis-Hill and Gabby Logan. Greg Rutherford is doing a good job on Eurosport but the biggest days demand BBC One.
Johnson says he feels the women's 100m is the race of the Tokyo track meet and there are six women who are genuine gold medal contenders: Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah, Daniels, Ta Lou, Jackson, I'm assuming, plus Asher-Smith
09:53 AMAsher-Smith is in the first semi-final
Asher-Smith is in the first semi-final
And is up against defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and Ajla del Ponte. It will be tough.
Asha Philip goes in the second heat and up against Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Shericka Jackson.
Daryll Neita's pb of 10.96 in qualification deserved fairer reward than a semi in which which she will have to battle against Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, USA's Teahna Daniels and Mujinga Kambundji.
09:45 AMDina Asher-Smith on qualification
I do have another level - of course I do, it's an Olympics.
To be honest today was just about making it through to the next round safely at the same time as knowing I've got another level to give tomorrow, so I am really happy.
You are trying to go and perform and do well. As an athlete you love a full stadium, you love spectators but at the same time it is what it is and you've still got the job to do.
08:51 AMHello
Dina Asher-Smith on qualification
I do have another level - of course I do, it's an Olympics.
To be honest today was just about making it through to the next round safely at the same time as knowing I've got another level to give tomorrow, so I am really happy.
You are trying to go and perform and do well. As an athlete you love a full stadium, you love spectators but at the same time it is what it is and you've still got the job to do.
08:51 AMHello
Hello
Good morning and welcome to coverage of the women's 100m, incorporating the semi-finals, starting at 11.15am BST and the final at 1.50pm. First and second places in the three semi-finals guarantee a place in the final but the other two places will be taken by the next fastest sprinters from any heat, making it imperative that Dina Asher-Smith, the world 200m champion and 100m silver medallist, bags one of the first two places after qualifying only as the 11th fastest athlete through yesterday's heats.
It is, of course, foolish to write her off, as our athletics correspondent Ben Bloom writes. She is the fastest British woman in history and has been in fine fettle this year, beating Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 34-year-old Jamaica great who is gunning for a hat-trick of 100m titles to go with her victories in Beijing and London, over this distance at Gateshead. Yes, it was wet and freezing, Pryce has gone much faster recently, recording the fastest time of the year (10.63) but Asher-Smith is a big race runner and will e under no illusions that it its time to raise the bar again.
The race takes place in the shadow of the banning of Richardson for testing positive for marijuana after her stunning victory at the US trials. All her rivals had been queuing up to condemn her sanction as draconian but when pressed again yesterday after the heats, they have switched to 'no comment', defending champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah "walking out of the mixed zone almost as fast as she ran on the track", according to the Washington Post.
As well as the Jamiacans look out also for Marie-Josee Ta lou of Ivory Coast, the quickest qualifier who was fourth in Rio five years ago, Switzerland's Mujinga Kambundji and Ajla Del Ponte, plus GB's Daryll Neita who all cracked 11sec in qualifying. But you won't need to keep an eye on Blessing Okagbare, who has been suspended after testing positive for human growth hormone