Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone notch wins as Grand Slam Track makes debut
The first day of the Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica was a thrilling affair, with Olympic champions Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stealing the show with their impressive performances.
Gabby Thomas, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, showcased her speed and skill by winning the 200 metres race in a time of 22.62 seconds. With this victory, she secured 12 points in the circuit’s first-ever race and set the stage for a potential double win as she gears up for the 400 metres event on Saturday.
“I’m feeling good and confident going into tomorrow, but there are some tough competitors in the quarter mile that I have to beat,” Thomas said after her win.
On the other hand, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, another American powerhouse, dominated the 400 hurdles event, a race where she holds the world record. Clocking in at 52.76 seconds, McLaughlin-Levrone cruised to victory and expressed her satisfaction with her performance.
“Just shaking off the cobwebs,” McLaughlin-Levrone commented on her race. “Obviously, the first one always hurts, but I’m happy to be here. Great experience.”
The atmosphere at the National Stadium in Kingston was electrifying, with fans cheering on the athletes with drums and horns. Despite some empty seats, the energy of the crowd fueled the competitors to push themselves to their limits.
In other races, Ethiopian Ejgayehu Taye clinched the victory in the 3,000 metres event, while American Nikki Hiltz triumphed in the 800 metres race. American sprinter Kenny Bednarek overcame a slow start to win the men’s 100 metres race in 10.07 seconds, edging out Jamaican Oblique Seville by a mere 0.01 seconds.
American Christopher Bailey secured the win in the men’s 400 metres race, Brazilian Alison dos Santos triumphed in the 400 hurdles event, and American Grant Fisher emerged victorious in the men’s 5,000 metres race. Quebec City’s Charles Philibert-Thiboutot finished last among the eight competitors in the 5,000 metres race.
The Grand Slam Track event has been likened to the “Formula One of athlete racing” by four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson, who is leading the league. With a prize purse of $12.6 million US up for grabs, the competition is intense as athletes vie for top honors in races across Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Overall, the inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica set the stage for an exciting season of high-stakes competition and record-breaking performances. Fans and athletes alike are eagerly anticipating the next races in the series as they continue to push the boundaries of track and field excellence.
