Odyssey to Oregon

2022 ODYSSEY TO OREGON

consistent Ivorian, Marie‐Josée Ta Lou, should also be there to race for the medals. If the new coaching arrangement needs more time to produce top results, she will find Fraser‐Pryce a formidable rival in the 100 and American college star Abby Steiner and Jackson major obstacles in the 200. Running for the University of Kentucky, Steiner won the NCAAs with a collegiate record of 21.80 seconds and went even faster – 21.77 – to win the US Trials. Jackson went 2‐0 over Thompson‐ Herah at the Nationals in 21.55 seconds. By contrast, Parchment has been coached by veteran expert Fitz Coleman since he became a student at the University of the West Indies. The partnership led

him to a stunning upset of World Champion Grant Holloway in Tokyo and Jamaica’s second straight Olympic gold medal in the 110‐metre hurdles. Holloway is coming into shape slowly in 2022 and was walloped in New York by fellow American Devon Allen who screamed home in 12.84 seconds. The world record time of 12.80 by Aries Merritt in 2012 was placed in danger when Holloway zoomed 12.81 at the US Olympic Trials last year and now Allen, at number three all‐time, has pulled into the danger zone. Though Parchment is undefeated in 5 starts, Allen’s time and his big win over Holloway makes him the gold medal favourite. That’s on paper. Last year, Parchment

wasn’t favoured for a medal and ran his best race in years to win in 13.04 seconds. With his injury issues subsiding, the tall man from Morant Bay is already at 13.09 seconds and a return to sub‐13 second form might be possible. However, with Allen going so well, Parchment’s lifetime bench mark is 12.94 seconds might not be enough to win. Allen will hope that history will turn in his favour. He finished fourth and then fifth in the last two Olympic finals and Parchment edged him for the last spot in the final at the 2017 World Championships which McLeod won. If all the principials arrive in top shape, the world record could fall. Will Elaine and Hansle win in Eugene? It’s possible, but it won’t be easy.