Elaine Thompson-Herah came within 0.05 seconds of Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33-year-old 100m world record as she clocked the second fastest time ever at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
The Jamaican blazed to victory at the Prefontaine Classic in 10.54sec, eclipsing the 10.61s she ran to defend her Olympic title in Tokyo last month.
She finished well clear of compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who clocked 10.73.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the American who missed the Olympics after testing positive for cannabis, finished last in 11.14 in her first race back following a one-month ban.
Griffith Joyner’s mark of 10.49 from 1988 has long appeared untouchable, but Thompson-Herah’s exploits this summer have brought it within reach.
Richardson, 21, was defiant despite the underwhelming result in a trackside interview with NBC’s Lewis Johnson after the race, describing it as “a great return back to the sport”.
“This is one race,” Richardson said. “I’m not done. You know what I’m capable of. Count me out if you want to. Talk all the shit you want. Because I’m here to stay. I’m not done. I’m the sixth fastest woman in this game ever and can’t nobody ever take that from me.”
She added: “I wanted to be able to come and perform after having a month off and dealing with all I was dealing with. I’m not upset with myself at all.”