Odyssey to Oregon

2022 ODYSSEY TO OREGON

fifth and sixth, respectively in the men’s 400 meters won by Tyree Washington in 1998. Haughton would be sixth again in 2000, timed at 45.26. Patrick Jarrett broke the middling trend in 2001 by winning the 100 at the Classic in 9.89(w), ahead of short‐sprint brand names like Greene, Williams, Drummond, Crawford and Surin. Chris Williams, Michael Blackwood and others campaigned around the middle of the pack after that, until the emergence of Asafa Powell, who first won in 2006. Although he was scheduled to take on Tyson Gay in his pet event in 2010, Usain Bolt did not show for his 200‐meter Prefontaine debut, leaving the USA’s Walter Dix to do the job in 19.72, leaving Gay in second place (19.76). It is Jamaica’s women who have made the biggest bang at the meet, particularly in the Diamond League era. In 2010, Veronica Campbell‐Brown scorched the track to beat Shelly‐Ann Fraser‐ Pryce and American mercury Carmelita Jeter in the 100 meters, stopping the clock at 10.78 seconds. In 2011, however, it was Steve Mullings’ turn, as he ran away from a pack that included compatriot Nesta Carter and Mike Rodgers to win over the distance in 9.80. Returning to Prefontaine as a two‐time Olympic 100‐meter champion in 2013, Fraser‐Pryce got the better of Nigerian star Blessing Okagbare to record a fast 10.71 seconds for the victory. Shelly‐Ann went back to Oregon in 2015 to nip Côte d’Ivoire’s Murielle Ahoure to win the A race, with both women timed in 10.81. In the B event,

The women’s 100 metres final at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic, won by Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson- Herah in a 1-2-3 finish for Jamaica including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (4) and Shericka Jackson (3).

Oregon legend English Gardner won in 10.84 seconds, sharing equal time with Jamaica’s rising star Elaine Thompson. After the 2020 cancellation of “Pre” due to COVID‐19, Jamaica returned to Eugene with a vengeance following the Tokyo Olympics, sweeping all three women’s places in the 100 meters. Double‐double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson‐ Herah led the rush with a historic 10.54‐second run, the second‐ fastest performance ever at the distance. Behind her were teammates Shelly‐Ann Fraser‐ Pryce (10.73) and Shericka Jackson (10.76), with troubled USA star Sha’Carri Richardson in ninth. In 2022, with heightened focus on the prospects of this Jamaican trio during a World Championships year, Thompson‐Herah streaked away yet again to win the 100, despite some injury troubles to her shoulder. Jackson was again third, but this time the two Jamaicans were split by a darting Richardson, who was adjudged second in equal time with Jackson

(10.92), but appeared to many to be third in the photo‐finish. Avoiding the melee altogether, Fraser‐Pryce opted for the 200 meters, which she won coming off the curve in authoritative fashion to win in 22.41 seconds. The USA’s Richardson, doubted and derided for months after her showing at the 2021 Classic seemed fast and feisty again, apparently ready for her first global meet. But she was, unfortunately, eliminated at USATF trials while her personal trials continued. Fraser‐Pryce, who has made no secret about her plans to break Florence Griffith‐Joyner’s 100‐meter world record, is bristling for a scrap after three trips at or below 10.70 seconds ahead of this year’s national trials. By contrast, Thompson‐Herah has stayed dangerously quiet with runs below 10.80; Jackson has run two commanding sub‐22‐ second races to state her intentions over 200 meters. Those left standing will be headed for Oregon again, this time for Worlds at the home of “Pre”.