Last week, thousands gathered at the London Stadium in the cool afternoon England sun to see the sprint rematch between American Sha’Carri Richardson and Jamaican Shericka Jackson in the Diamond’s League Women’s 100m race. Richardson had edged Jackson at their meeting in Poland, but Jackson won the Monaco leg.
The stage was set for another scintillating race ahead of their big showdown in Budapest, but it wasn’t meant to be. Richardson was forced to pull out of the race with a hamstring injury sustained during warm-up.
Early reports suggest it’s a minor injury.
More on Shericka Jackson
Ta Lou still got it
If there was disappointment in not seeing the two fan favorites, it was quickly dashed by a performance by Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou. The 34-year-old veteran, and the most successful sprinter in Ivory Coast’s history, powered out of the blocks and finished well ahead of her competition showing that she can more than hold her own with the new blood.
It’s Noah Lyles’ world and we’re just living in it
Noah Lyles has maintained the incredible form that’s put him in conversation with Usain Bolt for the greatest sprinter of all time. On Sunday, Lyles strengthened his argument by running a world-leading, and meet record, 19.47 seconds in the 200m sprint shattering his previous record of 19.67 seconds he set, fittingly, at the Kingston Grand Prix in Jamaica. This win puts Lyles in sole possession of the record for most wins in the 200m sub-20 seconds. At just 26 he has ample opportunity to widen the distance between him and Bolt.
Lyles will be competing in the 100m and 200m events at the World Championships in Budapest and looks to replicate a feat only done by Usain Bolt and countrywoman Allyson Felix in winning gold in the 200m three consecutive times.
Starlet Letsile Tebogo continues to turn heads
While all eyes are on Lyles, Letsile Tebogo quietly put together a fantastic race. The 20-year-old Botswanan pushed Lyles to the brink finishing 2nd with a 19.50, more than fast enough to win the event most years. Lyles is chasing Sprint immortality but should already start looking over his shoulder for the next would-be usurper.
