Sha-Carri Richardson may be missing but the 100m is still one of Tokyo’s events to watch. Two of the five fastest women of all time, a host of genuine medal contenders and a British gold attempt, what’s not to like? Here’s our women’s 100m preview for the Tokyo Olympics.
Schedule
Friday 30 July 03:40 UK Time (Heats) Saturday 31 July 11:15 UK Time (Semifinals) Saturday 31 July 13:50 UK Time (Final)
2021 Fastest Times
| Ranking | Time (s) | Athlete | Country |
| 1 | 10.63 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica |
| 2 | 10.71 | Elaine Thompson-Herah | Jamaica |
| 3 | 10.72 | Sha’Carri Richardson | USA |
| 4 | 10.77 | Shericka Jackson | Jamaica |
| 5 | 10.86 | Marie-Josée Ta Lou | Ivory Coast |
| 6 | 10.87 | Natasha Morrison | Jamaica |
| 7 | 10.89 | Twanisha Terry | USA |
| 7 | 10.89 | Blessing Okagbare | Nigeria |
| 9 | 10.91 | Aleia Hobbs | USA |
| 9 | 10.91 | Dina Asher-Smith | GB & NI |
British interest
A highly competitive trio indeed. Dina Asher-Smith will be going for gold and has won every race she’s been in this year, including over Sha’Carri Richardson in Gateshead. She has every chance and looks capable of running far quicker.
Darryl Neita’s 11.04 is competitive, the final will be the goal and Asha Philip (11.16 this year) will hope to try and make it a trio.
The favourites
Shelly Anne Fraser-Pryce is 34, a mum and running faster than she ever has before. Her 10.63 was the second fastest time in history and in winning the Jamaican trials over three rounds she has installed herself as the Olympic favourite. Yet in spite of this it’s not clear cut. Despite coming third in the trials Elaine Thompson-Herah seems to be peaking just in time to defend her Olympic crown. Her win over Fraser-Pryce in Székesfehérvár was mightily impressive. Sandwiched between the two in the Jamaican trials was Shericka Jackson, her only defeat this year over 100m.
Outside Jamaica Blessing Okagbare ran 10.67, the tailwind of 2.7 a fraction too strong to make it the fifth fastest of all time. She has been competitive ever since as has Marie-Josee Ta Lou running 10.86 for third in Székesfehérvár. Those are the likely front runners but Asher-Smith has every chance, her 10.83 national record competitive but likely a fraction short to take the gold. Bringing that down in Tokyo some more? I really wouldn’t bet against it.
Our medal predictions
- Elaine Thompson-Herah
- Dina Asher-Smith
- Shelly Anne Fraser-Pryce
Records
WR: 10.49 Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988)
OR: 10.62 Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988 Seoul)
