LONDON — Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce proved to be the sprint queen of the track once again when she retained her Olympic 100m title on Saturday.
Fraser-Pryce, securing what could be the first leg of a Jamaican double with Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake vying for men’s 100 gold, clocked 10,75secs to cap a frantic night of action in a packed Olympic stadium.
American Carmelita Jeter grabbed silver in 10,78secs and Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica claimed bronze in 10,81secs.
American Gail Devers was the last to retain the 100 title when following up Barcelona triumph with victory in Atlanta in 1996. The 25-year-old Jamaican, her hair tied back by a yellow ribbon, made a flying start and always had the powerful Jeter in check as she lunged for the line.
Fraser-Pryce did prove a showstopper back home in Kingston where play in the West Indies v New Zealand cricket Test was stopped while the final was shown on a big screen. Spectators at Sabina Park raucously celebrated her triumph.