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Clean sweep - Fraser runs away with Olympic 100m crown - Stewart and Simpson complete Jamaican trifecta
Jamaican sprint rocket Shelly-Ann Fraser decimated a class field in the 100m to win the Olympic title, dragging along fast-finishing compatriots Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to complete a historic shutout in Beijing, China.
Fraser ran down Simpson, who had the early lead, and powered to victory, matching Usain Bolt's superlative exploits a day earlier by beating her nearest rival by 2/10 second. She clocked 10.78.
Stewart reeled in the silver medal by sheer will, exploding in the last 30 metres to catch Simpson in a dead heat, as the latter seemed to lose a bit of rhythm at the death. Both athletes timed 10.98.
"From 50 metres out, I saw (I had the race won). I was kind of glimpsing," the elated 21-year-old Fraser told CMC Sports moments after her run at the Bird's Nest Stadium.
Fraser tore up the history books, becoming the first Jamaican woman to win the 100m gold and is now the second-fastest Jamaican woman ever - sprint matriarch Merlene Ottey has the national record, a stupendous 10.74.
The American trio Lauryn Williams, Muna Lee and Torri Edwards failed to find second gear. Williams finished fourth in 11.03 and Lee fifth in 11.07. Edwards - who has also run 10.78 this year - was the last runner across the line. |