Odyssey to Oregon

2022 ODYSSEY TO OREGON

Sprint Queens to Stay on Top

J amaica’s women won the lion’s share of our medals at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and at the last World Championships in Doha, Qatar, in 2019. The trend is likely to continue in Eugene, the US city that will host the 2022 World Championships starting on July 15. As in Tokyo, the team is led by a brilliant women’s sprint team. ANOTHER 100‐METRE SWEEP? Repeat medal sweeps tend not to happen in the 100 metres but Jamaica could do it. Elaine Thompson‐Herah, majestic in Tokyo, 4‐time World 100 champ Shelly‐Ann Fraser‐Pryce and sprint convert Shericka Jackson are all in form and even if Thompson‐Herah’s coaching change from MVP maestro Stephen Francis and the gestation period of her coach‐athlete relationship with husband Deron dissolves the advantage she had in 2021, Jamaica is still solid. Fraser‐Pryce started her season with a run of 10.67 seconds in Nairobi, with the undefeated Thompson‐Herah, who sorely wants to win her first individual World gold, next on the yearly performance list at 10.79 seconds. In March this year, she voiced her motivation. "I have no titles there, so my focus is to earn a title there this year and so I am just happy to continue the season outdoors and just stay healthy and fit throughout the season", she told reporters at a meet in Kingston. Jackson ran a personal best of 10.76 seconds in the Olympic

HUBERT LAWRENCE

but only after the 200 semi. For some reason, the 200 starts the very day after the 100 final. In addition, Jackson won when they met at Rome’s Golden Gala, 21.91 to 22.25 seconds. Jackson did it again at the Nationals with the third fastest time in history, 21.55 seconds and now, at the very least, is the joint gold medal favourite. With Olympic bronze medallist Gabby Thomas nursing an injury, the big threats might be American Abby Steiner who won the NCAA title impressively in 21.80 seconds and the US Trials in 21.77 and Asher‐Smith, the 2019 champion.

final and after her National Championships win, she is going for gold. A fast group of potential sweep breakers includes St. Lucian Julien Alfred, who has clocked 10.81; 2019 runner‐up Dina Asher Smith of Britain and flamboyant American Sha’Carri Richardson. A win for the 35‐year‐old Fraser Pryce would give the Mummy Rocket a fifth title. SCHEDULE VS. ELAINE IN 200 The schedule could be a problem for Thompson‐Herah. In Doha, with her chronic Achilles tendon issues raging, there was no rest day between the 100 and 200, and she simply couldn’t report for her 200 semi. In Tokyo, with a new treatment regime minimizing the discomfort and a break between the 100 and 200, she surged to the second fastest time ever ‐ 21.53 seconds. There’ll be a rest day in Eugene Ready or not, Shericka Jackson goes to Oregon a hot favourite for sprint gold.

NCAA and US 200-meter champion Abby Steiner of Kentucky poses a major threat to Jamaican hopes.

OUTSIDE SHOT AT A 400 MEDAL Until an injury tripped up Stephennie‐Ann McPherson in the Olympic final, a medal for Jamaica seemed certain. Now 33, she can try again in a field that could be dominated by