Elaine Thompson breaks Ottey’s meet record in London

Elaine Thompson set a new meet record and also a personal best to capture the 200 metres at the London Diamond League meet on Saturday.

Thompson, a virtual unknown before this season, recorded a time of 22.10 seconds to erase the old mark of 22.24 that was set way back in 1991 by Merlene Ottey, another Jamaican.

That time makes Thompson a contender for the title at the August 22-30 World Championships in Beijing as it is the fourth fastest time of the year, with American Allyson Felix responsible for two of those.

Felix has the best of 21.98 seconds with compatriot McGrone Candyce second with 22.08. Felix, with a time of 22.09 is third with Dafne Schippers of the Netherland. Then comes Thompson’s 22.10.

On Saturday, Thompson ran an excellent curve to come into the straight slightly ahead of Tori Bowie of the USA, but easily fought off the challenge to win going away.

loopjamaica