‘Walking garden’ Fraser-Pryce reaps golden treble
BEIJING, China (AFP) – Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce roared to an
unprecedented third women’s 100 metres world title in a flash of green
braids to emulate countryman Usain Bolt yesterday.
The double Olympic champion, wearing a band of yellow flowers in her
green-dyed hair, clocked 10.76 seconds to win easily in Beijing, a day
after Bolt blazed to glory in the men’s 100m.
“I like it when I’m chirpy and happy so I decided to do my hair
green,” said Fraser-Pryce, waving her matching green and yellow
fingernails. “I got my sunflowers too, I was like a living, walking
garden.
“I didn’t know I was the first woman to have won three world titles
but, hey, that’s awesome!” she added. “There was too much emotion,
coming back to where it all started in 2008. I was just 21 and nobody
knew who I was — I didn’t know who I was at that time.”
Fraser-Pryce got off to an explosive start and was never threatened,
winning with plenty to spare from Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers, who took
silver in a time of 10.81 seconds with American Tori Bowie third in
10.86.
The American threat failed to materialise as Fraser-Pryce underlined
her return to top form following what was, by her impeccable standards, a
sub-par 2014 season.
Her task was eased when countrywoman Sherone Simpson, silver
medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, missed the final along with
Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure, second in the 100 and 200m in Moscow two
years ago.
Schippers, who took heptathlon bronze at the Moscow worlds, was left
beaming with her silver medal after lowering the Dutch national record
twice in one night.
“It’s so cool to win a silver medal,” Schippers told AFP. “When I got
to the last 30 metres I was close to Shelly-Ann, and when you’re close
to her you know you have a medal and a good time.”
But bronze medallist Bowie, who prefers the 200m, was left
disappointed after suffering a nasty cut to her finger setting her
blocks for the final.
“I sliced my finger and there was blood dripping everywhere,” she grimaced. “It was a disaster, the track was full of blood.
“My mind was everywhere, I felt rushed and didn’t execute well. But I
know what to expect for the Olympics next year. It was a big stepping
stone for me.”