With full effort and smoothe baton changes, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade all helped the G.O.A.T, Usain Bolt to win Gold in the Men’s 4×100m Relay to create even further history by completing the Triple-Triple or what some people also call the Triple Treble. Either way, words can’t express the feeling of witnessing something so great and we can boast for a long time or maybe forever about witnessing this in our era.
Japan got the Silver and USA who initially got the Bronze were disqualified along with Trinidad and Tobago.
Canada, who came 4th had their result upgraded to receive the Bronze.
JA Ladies got the Silver in their 4×100m Relay.USA had faster ladies on paper but Jamaicans being spoilt would of course love to see our Ja ladies pull off the Gold, which was indeed possible. However, ALL 3 changes were bad. They did not execute as well as the Men. There was a messy change between Christania and Elaine.Elaine probably played it safe and did not run out far enough, failing to receive the baton with a fully outstretched arm. USA were ahead of us on the stretch and did their 2nd exchange before we did. Elaine’s change to VCB took too long with VCB’s hand stretched out waiting for the baton. VCB did well making up ground on EnglishGardner but then made a similar change to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. So by the time Shelly was able to run off with the baton, Torie Bowie on the extreme inside of us was already gone.
The Lane 1 given to the US ladies actually worked to their advantage. Maybe, it would have been better if they got Lane 8 but given the bad baton changes by Ja it probably would not have made a difference.
So USA won the Gold and Great Britain got the Bronze.
Well tried to our Jamaican ladies!
Now for today, we are hoping for a well executed race from our ladies for the 4×400m relay. We have the potential to beat the US and win Gold. USA’s, Allyson Felix will cause a lot of trouble with her leg but I don’t believe they have another Sanya Richards-Ross. They will still clearly have the advantage since their 3 ladies were in the 400m Final versus our 2.
The Men have a chance to get the Bronze in their 4×400m Relay.
No World Record last night but USAIN BOLT created more history completing his Triple in the 200m with GOLD in 19.78!
He didn’t run the curve as well as he usually does (because of the rain perhaps?) but ran a good curve nonetheless ahead of the field. He also did not power through the stretch and separate himself from about 60m to 80m left like old times, but that’s age.
It is obvious he wanted a better time but with the injury and only competing in the 200m once before the Olympics, compounded with the weather conditions and him concentrating too hard on his time, all factored into the result.
One step at a time Usain. The title was most important last night and Jamaicans couldn’t be prouder.
According to USA Today, Andre DeGrasse of Canada had talks about tiring out Usain in the Semi-Final since he is younger so should recover faster for the Final. He also said if Usain breaks the World Record he would be right their with him. Well, looks like he was the one who didn’t recover faster because he got the Silver in 20.02 after runing 19.80 in the Semi-Final. Suga believes their Bromance has come to a quick end.
Christophe LeMaitre upon finding out he won Bronze
It was a close call for the Bronze but Cristophe LeMaitre of France came through for it in 20.12. He has never given up! Adam Gemili of Great Britain was 4th in 20.12 separated by thousandths of a second. Churandy Martina of Netherlamds was 5th in 20.13.
LaShawn Merritt showed his age last night too (30 years) as well as the fact that he may have been too tired from the 400m and placed 6th.
So it is a nicely mixed podium and Usain Bolt removed all doubts if any and showed that he IS the G.O.A.T.
Moving on to later today, Usain will go for the Triple-Triple, where Gold in the 4×100m Relay will have him retire from his last Olympics with a perfect slate.
Young Elaine Thompson also has the opportunity to go after a Triple for the 1st time.
Note that Jamaica is the first country to have a man and woman win the 100m and 200m in the same Olympics!
Our Jamaican Men and Women will not have it easy in the 4×100m Relays with tired legs for the Men and a faster US team for the Ladies. But fingers crossed things will still go our way!
Starting Line-ups are suspected to be as follows:
Women’s 4×100m Relay Team
Christania to Elaine to VCB to Shelly
Men’s 4×100m Relay Team
Ashmeade to Asafa to Blake to Bolt
Lane Assignments are as follows:
Women:
Men:
Full Schedule:
Good Luck Jamaica!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle and/or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
It was a clear win for Elaine in 21.78 (SB) but she was so focused on her own race that she did not even know she won.
Elaine ran a well executed race, achieving an important task of beating Dafne Schippers on the curve then still having enough left to step it up another gear in about the last 30m to pass back Schippers who went slightly ahead, keeping her form and running right through the line.
Schippers lost form towards the line, got the Silver in 21.88 and fell hard to the ground after the line. She was quite upset with herself throwing her shoes down after the race. She eventually recovered and went over to Congratulate Elaine.
Torie Bowie got the Bronze in 22.15. Marie Josee Ta Lou placed 4th.
CONGRATS ELAINE! Elaine achieved the Sprint Double which hasn’t been done by any Jamaican Woman and hasn’t been done since Florence Griffith Joyner aka Flo-Jo in 1988.
Instagram Photo: @usainbolt
Tomorrow’s Lane assignment below for the Men’s 200m Final at 8:30pm without Gatlin who said that his ankle tightened up. Ask and you shall receive! Usain Bolt stated he would love to get Lane 6 in his interview and that he did!
Photo: www.iaaf.org
Tomorrow’s Schedule:
Relays begin in the morning and look out for Annsert Whyte who we expect to medal in the 400m Hurdles Final in the morning as well. USA’s Clement is expected to win Gold that one.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Usain Bolt has done it! He is now the first Sprinter ever to win Gold in the 100m at the Olympics 3 consecutive times!
Everyone thought that after the Semi-Finals he was ready to clock 9.6 odd or sub 9.8s based on previous trends. Usain Bolt clocked the fastest time of 9.86 in the Semi-Finals looking from side to side at DeGrasse who came 2nd and Bromell who qualified as a fastest loser in 3rd.
Justin Gatlin won his Semi-Final easily ahead of Yohan Blake in 9.94s. But Gatlin fled to the tunnel afterwards because he probably knew what was in store for him.
What was in store? Usain Bolt having the second slowest reaction time out of the blocks, keeping Gatlin in sight until he reached 60m, knowing Gatlin would get tired and then just ran right past him to win Gold in 9.81s. He could have proven everyone right by clocking sub 9.8s, but he only seemed concerned about winning and beat his chest before the line. He tweeted that this win was for his Jamaican people. Thanks Usain because you certainly made our weekend. Gatlin took the Silver in 9.89. Andre DeGrasse from Canada was a close 3rd and won the Bronze in 9.91.
Yohan Blake came from behind and was 4th with his SB in 9.93s.
USA’s TrayvonBromell came last.
Of course Gatlin was and still is the centre of social media memes. Besides being called a bus conductor, here are 2 of Suga’s faves:
Will Gatlin collect more Silver at his next stop by the 200m? We’ll see. In the mean time, Usain Bolt to di worl’!
In other news,
Tennis
Great Britain’s Andy Murray won Gold, beating Juan MartÃÂn del Potro of Argentina. Kei Nishikori of Japan defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal to win the Bronze.
Nadal is not leaving RIO empty handed though because he won Gold in the Men’s Doubles.
Venus Williams and Ram lost out on the Gold medal after being up 6-3 in the decisive 3rd set to go down 7-10.
The USA still won Gold though with the pair of Mattek-Sands and Sock.
Women’s Triple Jump Final
Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams was unable to medal and came 7th. Caterine Ibargüen of Colombia won the Gold.
Men’s 400m Final
Wayde Van Niekerk from South Africa won the 400m with a WORLD RECORD of 43.03 out of Lane 8! He was way ahead of Kirani James of Grenada who got the Silver in 43.76 and USA’s LaShawn Merritt the Bronze in 43.85. He was .15s faster than Michael Johnson’s World Record setin 1999 that nobody thought would be broken.
Van Niekerk sprinted the entire 400m and could not see anyone. He even accelerated further on the final stretch. Magnificent run and Congrats to Van Niekerk who clearly saved all his gas for the Final.
The Sprinter who was in Jamaica a few months ago at the Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix, trained with Bolt for a few days leading up to the meet and they were happy to be able to Congratulate each other as Champions after their races.
Stay tuned for today’s packed Schedule!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked what you read, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Let us start with Usain Bolt’s Heat. He had the usual slow start and had a fast, relaxed finish in 10.07. Andrew Fisher, a Jamaican running for Bahrain who Usain passed close to the line, came second in 10.12s.
Kemarley Brown, the Jamaican from Bahrain won his heat in 10.13s. The US athlete, Marvin Bracy clearly was not expecting such a fast Heat as a Jamaican was in disguise and Bracy came 3rd in 10.16s.
Gatlin won his heat easily in 10.01s.
Ashmeade (10.13) did what he needed to do as a Chinese athlete ran almost his fastest to win in 10.08s.
DeGrasse of Canada, one to watch as well as US’s Bromell won his heat well in 10.04.
Bromell was a casual 2nd in his heat. Ivory Coast’s Meite (PB 9.99) won that heat in 10.03.
Yohan Blake won his heat easily in 10.11 with a good start. A fellow Jamaican now representing Turkey, Jak Ali Harvey came 2nd in that heat in 10.14.
Richard Thompson of Trinidad & Tobago with Ato Boldon as his coach did not qualify with 10.29. Change of coach needed perhaps?
South Africa’s Simbine won the last Heat in 10.14.
Marvin Bracy and familiar names such as Vicaut, Kim Collins and LeMaitre went through as fastest losers.
The Games of the 31st Olympiad in Rio, Brazil began yesterday with football but officially start today! The Games will run from August 5-21. Athletics begin next Friday, August 12.
The Opening Ceremony will start at 6pm this evening at the Maracaná Stadium and will be shown on TvJ with a Pregame show at 4pm. No station seems to have full rights to show the Games so no channel should be blocked.
Brazil’s Olympic Village may not be ready but our Jamaican athletes surely are ready.
However, Suga does not expect the level of magic that occurred in Beijing and London to occur in Rio. Jamaicans need to understand that our Athletics is going through a change in generation, where veterans are either no more such as Kerron Stewart or not as fast after rounds as they used to be, e.g. VCB, and most of the young, upcoming athletes are not quite ready to deliver the quality we have been spoilt with over the past 2 Olympiads.
However, enough of being a Debbie Downer. Even though that may be at the back of my mind, I remain positive and know that veterans like Usain Bolt can still deliver and newcomers like Elaine Thompson should deliver. Omar McLeod and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are on the ropes but there seems to be something about the Olympics that just puts a torch under our you know what and then sparks just fly.
We have newcomers to look forward to in Gymnastics such as Toni-Ann Williams, Yona Knight-Wisdom for Diving and Timothy Wynter for Swimming.
Will our Alia Atkinson finally get her Olympic medal? I sure hope so. She gets closer every time.
Swimming, Tennis and Basketball start tomorrow. Fret not for the hot races in Athletics because they are mostly in the evenings and on weekends. You can set in your calendars from now:
Women’s 100m FINAL:
Saturday, August 13 @ 8:35pm
Men’s 100m FINAL:
Sunday, August 14 @ 8:25pm
Women’s 200m FINAL:
Wednesday, August 17 at 8:30pm
Men’s 200m FINAL:
Thursday, August 18 at 8:30pm
The 4×100m Relay FINALS will be run on the Saturday before the Olympics end.
If you didn’t get your Free Jamaica Observer Olympics Supplement in the Sunday paper, you can be sure to stay tuned to Suga’s posted schedules, updates and commentary on this website and like Suga Lifestyle’s Facebook page.
There is also a Flow Rio 2016 App that you can download on your phones for free. Not sure if it is as user friendly as the London 2012 app yet but it seems to have a decent layout so far. Too early to endorse.
Word is Usain Bolt was looking good in his practice session before today’s London Diamond League. He will be running the 200mtoday at 3:52pm to satisfy the JAAA’s requirement to prove his fitness for RIO after getting medical exemption from the Jamaica trials.
Photo: www.diamondleague.com
This will be a 2-day Diamond League. It starts at 2pm today and the Women’s 400m at 2:05pm will showcase Diamond League Leader, Shaunae Miller from the Bahamas amongst a packed field including our very own National Champ, Stephenie Ann McPherson and other challengers such as Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu, USA’s Francena McCorory and Natasha Hastings.
The 100m hurdles Women Final will be at 3:15pm with those who came out on top from the 2 Heats in a packed field including Diamond League leader, Kendra Harrison from the USA who shockingly failed to make the USA team, her compatriots Nia Ali, Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin, Cindy Roleder from Germany and Alina Talay from Belarus.
Races to watch tomorrow will be the 100m and 200m Women. The 200m Women will be at 10:15am featuring Diamond League leader Dafne Schippers from the Netherlands and Jeneba Tarmoh from the USA.
The 100m Women at 10:26am will feature our pocket rocket, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce assuming she will make it out of her heat. Other likely contenders may be Trinidad’s Michelle-Lee Ahye, Jamaica’s Simone Facey and Christania Williams.
FOOTBALL Euro2016
Euro2016 started last Friday. Already, Russia has faced investigation after Russian fans rushed (no pun intended) England supporters at the end of the game, which was drawn 1-1. Russia had equalized in overtime.
Both Russia and England have been warned against possible elimination if violence continues.
COPA America
Brazil beat Haiti 7-1 last Wednesday.
On Thursday, Venezuela beat Uruguay 1-0! Suarez was extremely upset he couldn’t play and threw a tantrum on the sidelines. The same night, Mexico beat Jamaica 2-0. Poor defending cost Jamaica the first goal, a simple header by Chicharito at 18′. It was an exciting match, but Jamaica just failed to convert the many opportunities and chances on goal, especially Donaldson who was also denied a penalty. Peralto who substituted Chicharito sealed the deal for Mexico, scoring at 81′.
Mexico advanced with Venezuela to the Quarterfinal for Group C. USA and Colombia advanced from Group A. The outcome of Group B with Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Haiti is to be determined, as well as the Group with Argentina, Chile, Panama and Bolivia.
BOXING Mohammad Ali died a week ago at age 74. His public memorial service was on Friday in Louisville, KY. Ali inspired the famous movie, Rocky. The Legend’s memory will live on.
TENNIS
5-time Major winner, Maria Sharapova has been suspended for 2 years by the ITF for breaking anti-doping rules. She will appeal.
ATHLETICS
Speaking of doping, Jamaica’s sprinter, Nesta Carter’s ‘B’ sample confirmed the presence of the substance, methylhexanamine, a banned stimulant after tests were carried out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This could cost the 4×100m team from the 2008 Beijing Olympics their Gold medal. He will soon have his case heard by the IOC panel.
Sanya Richards-Ross of the USA looking to run her last Olympics seemed to have twisted her foot in a 100m race used for speed training in Atlanta. She fell to the ground screaming mid-race and had to be carried off the field. She hasn’t been running good times in the 400m and she came 7th in her last competitive race but this may harm her hopes of heading to RIO even more.
Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix
The JN Racers Meet that took place on Saturday at the National Stadium was packed with talented athletes, most of whom should be heading to RIO. It was a great day for sprinters with a +1.0 wind.
The highlights were as follows:
Shaunae Miller used her strength from the 400m to power through the stretch to win the Women’s 200m just short of sub 22s in 22.05s. USA’s Jenna Prandini had an excellent start and beat Miller on the curb but faded in the stretch finishing in 22 39s.
Trinidad’s Machel Cedonio won the Men’s 400m in 44.37s ahead of Grenada’s Bralon Taplin and Jamaica’s Javon Francis a.k.a. ‘Donkey Man’.
South Africa’s World Men’s 400m Champion, Wayde van Niekerk won the 300m just short of sub 31s in 31.03 ahead of USA’s LaShawn Merritt. He felt the energy of the crowd and enjoyed running here.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Miguel Francis who trains with Bolt and Blake destroyed is PB time in the Men’s 200m finishing in 19.88s, the 2nd fastest time in the world this year. Jamaica’s Julian Forte was 2nd in 20.18s and Warren Weir just returning from an injury was 3rd in 20.32s. Rasheed Dwyer is yet to break 20.5s this season.
Nadia Eke of Ghana won the Women’s Triple jump in 13.51m.
For the Women’s 100m hurdles, USA’s Sharika Nelvis won in 12.61s, her SB ahead of Jamaica’s World Champion, Danielle Williams who finished in 12.77s.
For the Men’s 110m hurdles, David Oliver of the USA won in 13.09s. Jamaica’s Deuce Carter came 2nd. He hit a hurdle mid-race so it could have been closer. Jarrett Eaton of the USA was 3rd.
Then to the races everyone was waiting for, the Women’s and Men’s 100m.
Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce who has been having trouble from injury got her usual fast start and shook off Barbara Pierre of the USA who stayed with her throughout the entire race and even inched ahead of her at one point finishing with her SB of 11.09 and Pierre finished in 11.11s. Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad & Tobago was 3rd in 11.15s and Carmelita Jeter did not place.
Sidenote. Never count out VCB for the Senior trials. She ran 10.83s in Florida today!
Now to the Men! Bolt, Blake, Asafa, Nickel Ashmeade, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Frater ALL from Jamaica, Ramon Gittons from Barbados and South Africa’s Akane Simbine. Why not have a Jamaica race at the Olympics?
All I know is, Usain Bolt is looking good, really good. He ran 9.88s after he stumbled at the start of race after a good reaction time to the gun, was behind the entire field and then pulled away easily.
Nickel Ashmeade finished 2nd and Blake with his SB 3rd, both with 9.94s, Asafa 4th with 9.98 and Bailey-Cole 5th.
Watch “Usain Bolt wins 100m Men Racers Grand Prix 2016 in 9.88s” on YouTube here:
BASKETBALL – NBA Finals
After the Warriors took Game 1 of the series and Game 2 was a Blowout with a 110-76 win over the Cavs in California with LeBron James sitting out the entire 4th quarter, the Cavs especially LeBron James were attacked by the media, various memes and videos. Here is a reminder of just a few:
They had no choice but to totally dominate Game 3 on home court to save face on Wednesday night winning by 30 points, 120-90. James had 32 points and Thompson came up big defensively and also had 13 rebounds. The Cavs would then look to level the series in Game 4 at home before heading back to California for Game 5 but things did not go their way. Curry came alive with 38 points and we still haven’t seen the Splash Brothers in these NBA Finals.
Cavs coach, Tyronn Lue was fined 25k for criticizing the Referees after Game 4, saying ‘LeBron never gets calls’. LeBron fans would say he doesn’t make excuses for losing but once again, he was in agreement with this accusation made by Lue but didn’t go in on it because he said he would save his 25k. What he did do though, was provoke Draymond Green by stepping over him after Green fell to the floor on a play, knowing what was at stake for Draymond if he got 2 more technicals or any Flagrants called against him. Words were thrown and both made their case.
Watch “GameTime: LeBron’s Altercation With Draymond Green | June 11, 2016 | 2016 NBA Finals” on YouTube here:
Today, the League announced that LeBron James was assessed a technical and Draymond Green has been suspended for Game 5 of the Finals after getting a Flagrant Foul 1 from the incident with LeBron on Friday. Suga thinks this was unnecessary and the NBA are grabbing at straws to extend the series.
Warriors’ Klay Thompson expresses that he guesses LeBron James’ ‘feelings just got hurt’ by Draymond Green and players talk trash and call each other names in the league all the time but ‘It’s a Man’s League’.
