Another Olympic hiccup?

JAMAICAN ATHLETES at yesterday’s 14th Gyulai István Memorial World Continental Gold meet in Hungary had mixed fortunes.

Kishane Thompson was an impressive winner in the men’s 100 metres while Shericka Jackson pulled up in the women’s 200.

Following his impressive showing at the Jamaica National Championships where he rushed to a personal best and world-leading 9.77 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres, all eyes were on the Jamaican in Hungary yesterday.

Thompson proved that his performance in Jamaica was not a fluke, getting off to a great start before shutting down with less than 20 metres to go and cruise to a 9.91-second win.

Letsile Tebogo of Botswana finished second in a season’s best 9.99, while South Africa’s Akani Simbine, the meet record holder with 9.84, had to settle for third in 10.01.

Jamaica’s Rohan Watson, 10.15, and Michael Campbell, 10.28, ended fourth and seventh respectively.

After moderate performances in the 200 metres, Jackson, the fastest half-lapper alive, came face to face with St Lucia’s Julien Alfred.

Both athletes got good starts and were evenly matched up to the top of the curve before Jackson took a slight lead coming into the straightaway. With less than 40 metres to go, Jackson pulled up as Alfred, in her first outdoor 200 metres of the season, went on to win in 22.16.

Daryll Neita of Great Britain was second in 22.36 as Jamaica’s Lanae-Tava Thomas was third in 22.54 with Natasha Morrison, fourth in 22.95.

With the Olympic Games some three weeks away, there is some concern over Jackson, although she walked away from the event under her own steam.

Tia Clayton had to settle for second in the 100 metres yesterday, clocking 11.06 to finish behind the United States’ Tamari Davis, 11.00. Krystal Slolely was third in 11.15, while Morrison was fourth in 11.19. Tina Clayton was eighth in 11.52.

National long jump champion, Ackeila Smith, was also second in Hungary, leaping 6.83 metres in the women’s long jump, while Natalie Linares of Colombia won with 6.87.

Andrew Hudson marked the third Jamaican to finish second, clocking 20.37 seconds in the men’s 200 metres, as Olympic champion, Canada’s Andre De Grasse, romped to victory in 19.98.

Sean Bailey was second in the men’s 400 metres, producing a season’s best 44.64 seconds as Olympic champion, Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas won in 44.50. Lythe Pillay of South Africa was third in 45.24.

Rajindra Campbell finished fifth in the men’s shot put with a heave of 21.20 metres while Tajay Gayle was ninth in the men’s long jump with a distance of 7.76 metres.