30.08.2008

Sally strong in Zurich

Olympic silver medallist Sally McLellan has continued her blistering form from Beijing to produce two top three three performances in the women’s 100m hurdles over the weekend.

Just as they did at the Bird’s Nest less than two weeks ago, seven of the top eight Olympic finalists eyed each other off at the start line at the AF Golden League meeting in Zurich on Friday night for what was deemed the revenge match for American Lolo Jones. 

Jones didn’t disappoint, bouncing back from her fall in Beijing to take out the race in 12.55 seconds. Spain’s Josephine Onyia (12.63) and McLellan (12.64) were hot on her heels, finishing second and third respectively.

Getting out to her characteristic fast start in front of the 26,000 capacity crowd, the field made ground on McLellan in the middle stages of the race.  Fighting back strongly, her third position easily took care of the recently crowned Olympic champion Dawn Harper who finished sixth in 12.73 seconds.

Meanwhile at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead on Sunday night,  McLellan was pipped on the line by Onyia in a new stadium record of 12.65. McLellan was also inside the old record with 12.70 seconds.

In other events at the Zurich Golden League meet, Jamaican Usain Bolt continued his dominance in the men’s 100m taking care of the field with a run of 9.83 seconds.  American Walter Dix and Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson rounded up the minor places in a field that boasted each of the six men’s sprint medallists from Beijing.

Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic (high jump) and Kenya’s Pamela Jelimo (800m) have kept their million dollar dreams alive recording wins in their respective events, leaving just one more meet to overcome for the Golden League jackpot.