Jamaicans Go 1-2-3 in Women’s 100

Lauryn Williams takes fourth place.

-Beijing-The Jamaicans proved they are the fastest humans on the planet. First, Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the men’s 100-meters while doing dance moves the last 15-meters of the race. The only thing missing from the performance was a dj and spinning some of that legendary reggae dance music.

Oh wait, that came after the race.

The Jamaican women picked up where Bolt left off. Shelly Ann-Fraser finished first in 10.78 seconds, well ahead of silver medalist Sherone Williams and bronze medalist Kerron Stewart, who were both timed in 10.98.

After the race Ann-Fraser jumped up and down in celebration after witnessing her wide margin of victory on the jumbo screen, similar to Bolt’s win yesterday.

The Jamaican sprinters came in with top times and put together consistent races leading up to Beijing.

Lauryn Williams, the silver medalist in Athens, was fourth, and Muna Lee, the Olympic Trials champion, was fifth. Veteran sprinter Torri Edwards was eighth.

After the race Williams said, "It was incredibly close. The only thing I could say about the photo finish was 'oh-oh, not again.' I thought the photo was between me and Sherone for third, but it wasn't. I put what I had on the line today. I'm not upset. 10.78 was a great time."

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis – Monaco Super Grand Prix!

Isinbayeva Raises the Pole Vault World Record.

-Monaco-Can anyone touch Yelena Isinbayeva? She cleared 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches setting a new record for the second time this season. The stakes have been raised another notch and Yelena goes into Beijing as the clear favorite to win gold.

It’s about staying calm under the pressure. I think David Oliver (13.11) hit nearly every hurdle in the race and still managed to run down Anwar Moore for the win. That’s when you know your race is on.

It was just another day in the office for Asafa Powell. Today the Jamaican commonly referred to as the world’s second fastest man clocked 9.82 in the 100-meters. Darvis “The Veteran” Patton (9.98) of the U.S. was runner up with a solid performance.

More than almost anyone else Jamaica's Kerron Stewart is establishing herself as the runner to beat. Today she posted 10.94 over Sherone Simpson (10.95) of Jamaica, and Torri Edwards (11.02) of the U.S. in a hotly contested 100-meter race.

The 800 left me thinking that the U.S. athletes can not expect to be competitive if they sit in the back for most of the race and then try to pour on a huge kick down the home stretch. It isn't going to happen. Yuriy Borzakovskiy and Yusuf Saad Kamel put down a ridiculous 1:42.79. They ran every step of the race today.

By Jay Hicks.

Monaco IAAF Super Grand Prix--Preview

Catch all of the action live on WCSN.com and Universal Sports TV.

-Monte Carlo - Don't miss the last major action before the Olympic Games at the historic Monaco Super GP. How fast can David Oliver fly over the hurdles? The U.S. Olympic Trials champion headlines the 110-meter hurdles along with Americans Anwar Moore and Antwon Hicks.

Asafa Powell will take his last run prior to Beijing Olympic Games. Can anyone touch Yelena Isinbayeva? The Russian pole vaulter will take a stab at the world record.

The women will continue to duke it out on the 100-meter international scene. Torri Edwards (10.79) will take on Jamaica's Kerron Stewart (10.80) along with compatriots Shelly Ann Fraser (10.85), Sherone Simpson (10.87), and USA’s Marshevet Hooker (10.93) in what is a class field. Kim Gevaert of Belgium, the European champion, makes another outing in her recovery from recent injury niggles.

IAAF Herculis Super Grand Prix on WCSN.com and Universal Sports TV.

Tuesday, July 29^th

Monaco, Monte Carlo

2:00-5:00p EDT- LIVE

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis: Day 2, Aviva London 2008 Super Grand Prix

Jamaicans dominate day 2 in London.

Team USA may very well win the final medal count at the of the Olympic Games, but the Jamaicans could possibly win Olympic gold in some of the marquee races. In past Olympic Games, the U.S. has grown accustomed to crushing the competition. The rest of the world may have very well caught up.

Yesterday Asafa Powell (9.94) of Jamaica ran on cruise control while winning the 100-meters. Sherone Simpson (22.80) who also represents Jamaica, managed to pull out a close win in the women’s 200 meters.

Today Bolt (19.76) blew away a field that included Wallace Spearmon (20.27) of the U.S. in the 200-meters, setting a new British all-comers Crystal Palace record. Bolt was nearly a half second ahead of Wallace Spearmon.

Afterwards Bolt said, “Looking to Beijing, I think I have a good chance in the 200m and 100m - I'd love to do both," said the Jamaican. I'm still waiting to see what will be going on with that, my coach is making that decision maybe in a week or so.”

Going into Beijing, the Jamaican sprint star has put together a body of work that gives him the "favored" status in both the 100 and 200-meters. The looming question is whether Bolt decides to attempt the elusive double.

Jamaican superstar Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women’s 100-meters in 10.86. Runner up Shelly Ann-Fraser, also from Jamaica ran 10.95. Torri Edwards who will be representing the U.S. in Beijing took fourth (11.09) in the race. Allyson Felix was scheduled to participate in the 100-meters, but she decided to pull out of the race.

In race displaying his consistency, Kerron Clement (48.36) dominated the 400-meter hurdles.

By Jay Hicks.

Is It David Oliver’s Time to Shine?

-From Eugene, OR

Sure Allen Johnson isn’t in the finals of the 110 hurdles, but rising star David Oliver is running at an instinctual level that is unaffected by the loss of the 37-year-old American hurdling legend. Look for the heat to come from Anwar Moore, Antown Hicks, and veteran Terrence Trammell.

Oliver has been on the grind and is hoping that the hurdles are his best friend, and not his worst enemy, tomorrow in the finals.

“That's what's important. Whether you're first or 16th, we're all going to the semifinals, and we all have a chance to make the team still," said Oliver.

Women’s 200m Final Looks Very Familiar to 100m

The main difference going into the 200-meter final is that Allyson Felix has the fastest time (22.22) run by an American this year. The 100-meter U.S. Olympic trials champion Muna Lee has the second fastest qualifying time (22.33), Shalonda Solomon put down 22.48, and Bianca Knight won the first heat in 22.53.

Felix, Lee, Lauryn Williams, Torri Edwards, and Marshevet Hooker all appeared in the 100-meter final, and they are all now in the 200-meter final.

This race is simply too close to call. Felix is the favorite going into tomorrow. Hooker is motivated by not getting left home. Solomon is a beast, and Knight is the picture of consistency at the half lap distance. Not to mention that Torri Edwards has veteran experience that can not be underestimated.

Get your popcorn ready, because this is going to be entertaining.

All content and photos by Jay Hicks.