The 2010 Adidas Gran Prix Golden League at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, was initially a showdown between 100-200 world record holder Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and American s rival printer Tyson Gay, both of whom, along with 400meter World record holder Michael Johnson, were present at the meet. When Bolt and Gay pulled out of their 100 meter duel, due to injuries the 200 meter clash between Jamaica’s Double Olympic 200 meters champion and American arch-rival, , three-time world champion Allyson Felix took center stage.
At the Adidas Gran Prix press conference two days before the event Veronica Campbell Brown was asked, is Jamaica the new sprint capital? Her reply was “I would think so” she went on to highlight “the rivalry between Jamaica and the U.S. is great.” Her answer proved to be a harbinger of what she planned to do at the new IAAF Diamond League series. Going into the Adidas Classic Campbell-Brown’s arch-rival, American Allyson Felix had defeated Campbell-Brown in their last four meeting including at the World Championship last year. Campbell-Brown, registered an impressive world-leading and meet record 21.98 seconds to defeat Allyson Felix at the Adidas Grand Prix e meet in New York
Campbell-Brown who led from the start to finish, said she felt a slight cramp during the race and grabbed her left hamstring moments after beating American Allyson Felix in their first clash on American soil. Despite the hamstring twinge Campbell-Brown was pleased with her victory. ” I had a good race, I known Felix finishes strong so I had to get out hard. I’m excited; it was a good race, wonderful ladies. I’m satisfied my time was under 22. Felix was second in 22.03 seconds, while another American, Bianca Knight, was third in 22.59.
Trinidad and Tobago’s 2008 Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson won the Western Union sponsored Men’s 100 in 9.89 seconds (plus 2.4 meters per second wind) ahead of Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, 9.91. Despite the illegal wind, Thompson seemed to be satisfied. “The victory is more important, so I will take it. It’s a 2.4 wind but 9.89 is still a fast time.
Former St Jago High school star Yohan Blake, the 2006 world junior bronze medalist from the Glen Mills-coached Racers Track Club began to prematurely celebrated before touching the line by lifting his right hand and was edged by Richard Thompson in a wind-aided 8.89 seconds to 9.91 (+2.4 m/s). Blake said, “I am not the best of starters, but I will run you down in the last 40m, but today I came up just short. His Racers Club training partner Antigua and Barbuda’s Daniel Bailey was third in 9.92 seconds.
Jamaicans quarter-miler Shericka Williams Olympic and World Championships silver medalist was second in the 400 meter clocking 51.24 seconds, to finish behind Botswana’s Amantie Monthsho – 50.79seconds. Jamaica Shereefa Lloyd was third in 51.64 seconds. World Junior Championships 200m silver medalist Nickel Ashmeade failed to complete the men’s 100m B race, pulling up just past the 70m mark, grabbing the back of his left thigh
