There are no major track and field championships this year, but come this Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, fans are in store for some special performances at the Prefontaine Classic, the ninth stage of the Wanda Diamond League, especially in the women’s 100 metres.
There have been special performances in the event so far, with some 12 Jamaicans going sub-11 seconds in the event, but the United States are not to be outdone. The athletes at the epicentre of these special performances are on a collision course this Saturday.
Six athletes, who are ranked in the top 10, including the British Virgin Islands’ Adaejah Hodge, who romped to an impressive personal best and world lead of 10.63 seconds at the same venue a few weeks ago at the National Collegiate Athletics Association Championships, are down to face the starter.
The line-up will include the likes of Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2023 Budapest world champion and the second-fastest woman in the event this season with 10.77 seconds, as well as countrywoman Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, the Tokyo World Championships gold medallist, who has gone 10.80.
The Jamaican trio of Shericka Jackson, with a season’s best 10.81, Tokyo World Championships silver medallist Tina Clayton, who has gone 10.85, and twin sister Tia, who has a season’s best of 10.91, add spice to the line-up.
With two rounds, it will be interesting to see which eight athletes will make the final as Joneil Smith, with a best of 10.94, and Brianna Lyston, also with 10.94, will be the other Jamaicans down to compete. Cambrea Sturgis of the United States, with a best of 10.92, and Amy Hunt of Great Britain with a best of 10.97, will all be gunning to make it to the final eight, which could make it one of the most eagerly anticipated women’s 100 metres finals ever.
