Olympic places decided
26th June 2021 – This weekend saw the conclusion of the US Olympic Trials and also the British Olympic Trials. As always the standard of competition was just that little bit higher with the prize of an Olympic birth on the line.
Jenna Prandini (USA) had already secured her Olympic spot by virtue of her fourth place finish over 100m last weekend, but with the 200m being an event where she is already a two times national champion, hopes were high as she took to her marks. Jenna was in superb form through all three rounds and earned her individual spot on the team by taking second place in the final with a new personal best time of 21.89 seconds.
One athlete who knows the entire journey is defending Olympic 1500m Champion Matthew Centrowitz (USA) and he once again showed what a stellar championship performer he is. Barely putting a foot wrong in three highly competitive and tactical races Matt took second place on this occasion but is showing the form where people know he will be a factor come Tokyo.
The brutal side of the US trials is how cut throat they are. Shamier Little (USA) has been in superb form all year but sadly just missed the podium places here. Fred Kerley suffered the same fate in the 200m but had the consolation of a new personal best time of 19.90 seconds, meaning he is only the third man ever to run sub 10 seconds for the 100m, sub 20 seconds for the 200m and sub 44 seconds for the 400m.
At the British Trials Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) lived up to her favorite billing and although the finish clock robbed her of a super fast time, two more sub 11 second clockings in less than favorable conditions was a good days work.
Sadly, four times Olympic Champion Sir Mo Farah (GBR) will not be able to defend his 10,000m title in Tokyo as the qualifying time proved elusive on this occasion.
Article Tags: Dina Asher-Smith, Fred Kerley, Jenna Prandini, Matthew Centrowitz, Shamier Little, Sir Mo Farah