BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) — Jamaican sprint star Elaine Thompson-Herah eased the pain of a disappointing world championships by sprinting to 100-meter victory at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday as Katarina Johnson-Thompson ended her heptathlon drought.
Scotland’s Eilish McColgan also put past frustrations behind her on an emotional night in Birmingham.
Thompson-Herah finished third behind fellow Jamaican sprint stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson at last month’s world championships in Eugene, Oregon.
It was a disappointing performance for the 30-year-old, who topped the podium at last year’s Tokyo Olympics in both the 100m and 200m, retaining the titles she had won in Rio.
But she began her first step in her “battle back to the top” by winning the Commonwealth 100m title for the first time in 10.95 seconds.
Thompson-Herah would not have been running but for the withdrawal of Fraser-Pryce.
“Feeling good,” Thompson-Herah said.
“I didn’t have the best execution but nevertheless I had to dig for that one but I am still grateful to win my first Commonwealth Games.”
