Shericka Jackson in the second best time ever and Noah Lyles with an outstanding 19.31 seconds won gold in the 200 meters at the IAAF World Championships in Eugene.
Only world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner was ever faster in the women’s 21.34 seconds than Jamaica’s Jackson on Thursday evening (local time), who finished in 21.45 seconds.
Defending champion Lyles ran the fourth best time ever recorded over that distance. Only Usain Bolt – in his world record of 19.19 seconds in Berlin 2009 and the previous record of 19.30 seconds set a year earlier at the Olympic Games in Beijing – and his Jamaican compatriot Yohan Blake in 19.26 seconds were already faster. Silver and bronze also went to sprinters from the USA. Kenneth Bednarek finished in 19.77 seconds, Erriyon Knighton needed 19.80 seconds.
“Everyone dreams of this day. And today is my day. I’ve finally been able to do what I’ve dreamed of for years,” Lyles said over the stadium microphone. “I have all my family and friends here. And I have an audience. I have an audience! I couldn’t have imagined it better.” Lyles also went on to catch Michael Johnson’s US record time of 19.32 seconds at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
For Jackson, the 21.45 seconds meant a world record. She relegated teammate and world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to second by 0.36 seconds. Bronze went to defending champion Dina Asher-Smith of England in 22.02 seconds.
(dpa)