Jamaica, Great Britain take podium in women's 200-meter final
EUGENE — Jamaica's Shericka Jackson can finally call herself a world champion after running 21.45 and claiming the gold medal in the women's 200-meter at Hayward Field Thursday evening.
Jackson's time was the second fastest ever after Florence Griffith-Joyner's 1988 world record of 21.34. It also improves the championship record of 21.63 set by Dafne Schippers in 2015.
“We were hoping for one, two and three,” Jackson said. “Dina (Asher-Smith) is Jamaican so we’ll take that for now, but we grateful for our one and two (podium finishes). We came out here to do our best and our best was good enough.”
Jackson’s teammate, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the silver in 21.81, the second fastest podium mark at the world championships since Elaine Thompson-Herah ran a 21.66 in 2015.
“I knew it was going to be a tough order to come out here and do something special,” Fraser-Pryce said. “But I’m really glad that I completed today. I ran that corner, and gutted straight and held on for dear life because I knew Shericka was behind me.”
Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, the defending champion in the event, won the bronze medal in 22.02, also the second fastest podium mark at the world championships.
American Abby Steiner, who finished fifth in 22.26, had competed her 57th indoor and outdoor race combined this year at the conclusion of today. Finishing sixth, teammate Tamara Clark with a time of 22.32.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Jamaica, Great Britain take podium in women's 200-meter final
