THOMPSON EQUALS 100M MEETING RECORD IN BRUSSELS – IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE

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When quizzed about whether she had Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s AG Insurance Memorial Van Damme meeting record of 10.72 in mind as she went into her last race of the season, Elaine Thompson said that she just wanted to run fast and professed not to even be aware of what her compatriot had run three years ago.

However, her indifference on Thursday had certainly melted away ahead of the gun going at the IAAF Diamond League final on Friday (9).

The Netherlands’ European champion Dafne Schippers had a good start by her standards and pushed Thompson all the way to 40 metres but then the Jamaican seemed to have several more gears and just flew away from the Dutchwoman over the second half of the race to equal her compatriot’s 2013 time of 10.72 and clock the third-fastest time of her career.

The win also sealed the Diamond Race in the short sprint for Thompson.

“I wanted to run faster however, I felt something in my hamstrings at the very end of the race," said Thompson. "Now, I can finally go back home and celebrate. I keep on smiling because this season was really great."

Schippers was a distant second in 10.97 but need not reproach herself as Thompson was in irresistible form.