Thanks to Elaine Thompson-Herah, Jamaicans now own all of the 100 and 200 metres records at the renowned Zurich Weltklasse meet. Thompson-Herah completed the set with a swift 100 metres dash on September 8 at the Diamond League final.

Running in the style that took her to repeat 100 and 200 metres triumphs at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 29-year-old Jamaican dominated in 10.65 seconds. When she shifted into high gear, she was well ahead of Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. The winning time lowered the meet record – 10.76 seconds – set by Evelyn Ashford of the United States in 1984.

The other three Zurich records in Jamaican hands are 9.76 and 19.66 seconds in the men’s 100 and 200 metres respectively by Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt and 21.66 seconds for 200 metres by Merlene Ottey in 1990.

Speaking at the end of a campaign that yielded 13 sub-11 clockings and times not far off the 100 and 200 metres world records, Thompson-Herah called 2021 an amazing year. “I was so consistent because I was just keeping the faith in me and did not allow any negativity. I am really happy and grateful. I am tired now but this is my job. I would describe this season with one word: amazing, yet it had ups and downs”, said the Stephen Francis coached sprinter.

Despite the troubles, she is now the second fastest woman of all time with national records of 10.61 and 10.54 seconds in the 100 metres and 21.53 in the 200 metres.

In reference to her ongoing Achilles tendon problems, Thompson-Herah told reporters, “I have to give God thanks that I am healthy and that I could finish such a long season.”

On the day before the meet, the MVP Track Club ace had estimated that it might be easier to break Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 200 metres world record of 21.34 seconds. Afterwards, however, she was focused on the 100 metres and Griffith-Joyner’s other record, 10.49 seconds. “It was a long season with ups and downs”, she reiterated, “but next year, the world record is definitely on my mind.”

ZURICH 100/200 Metres Records

Men’s 100m
9.76 +1.4 Yohan Blake: August 30, 2012

Women’s 100m
10.65 +0.6 Elaine Thompson-Herah: September 09,2021

Men’s 200m
19.66 ±0.0 Usain Bolt: August 30, 2012

Women’s 200m
21.66 -1.0 Merlene Ottey: August 15, 1990 (NR: at that time)