Thompson wins Jamaica's 100m Olympic trials in 9.77 seconds
Kishane Thompson (far left) is the fourth fastest Jamaican in history
Kishane Thompson became the joint-ninth fastest man in history after running the 100m in 9.77 seconds to win the men's 100m at the Jamaican Olympic trials on Friday.
The 22-year-old, who had not raced at all this season before the trials, is in just his second season as a professional.
But his time of 9.77 seconds means he is now the fourth fasted Jamaican in history behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.
"My coach instructed me just to run the first 60 metres, nothing more - after that, shut it down," said Thompson.
"If I came second or third, I would’ve made the team. The goal wasn’t to prove anything tonight, just run the 70 or 60 metres and see where I was."
In the women's 100m, Shericka Jackson recovered from a bad start to win in 10.84 seconds ahead of rivals Tia Clayton and two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who ran 10.84secs and 10.94secs respectively.
“Coach and I sat down and talked about how we wanted the approach the season, and I think we did pretty good, having only ran one 100m prior to the national trials,” Jackson told Reuters.
Elsewhere, Grant Holloway has unfinished business in the 110m hurdles at the Games after qualifying at the US Olympic team trials in Oregon.
The 26-year-old won silver in that event at Tokyo in 2021 but was far from satisfied with finishing as runner-up.
"Do I look at it every day like it should have been mine? No. I’ve done four world championships, indoors and out, and I’ve got four gold medals. I feel like I’ve already solidified myself in that realm," said Holloway.
Holloway is looking to make amends in Paris and his 12.86secs time on Friday was the fastest of his career.
He finished narrowly ahead of rivals Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts, who finished with times of 12.93secs and 12.96secs respectively.
In the 100m hurdles, Lolo Jones became the first woman over the age of 40 to compete in the US trials.
The 41-year-old, who has competed at three Games, came last in her heat but qualified for Saturday's semi-final.