Sprint king Usain Bolt took his first stride towards the goal of an unprecedented Olympic three-peat at the Rio de Janeiro Games with a modest 10.05-second run and an easy victory at the Cayman Invitational on Saturday.
Starting in lane four, the Jamaican had a moderate start in his season-opening race before stepping away from the field in the last 60 metres and cruising to the tape.
Bolt’s time was the third-lowest in a career boasting the 100 and 200m titles at the last two Olympics along with golds in the 4x100 relays.
But the 29-year-old was satisfied with his first test since last year’s World Championships in Beijing, where he added another three titles to his honour roll before calling a premature end to his season.
“I’m just glad I got out of that one injury-free. It’s a season-opener so you never know what to expect,” Bolt told reporters after beating Jason Rodgers of St. Kitts and Nevis (10.12) and third-placed compatriot Kemar Bailey-Cole (10.18).
“I haven’t run all season so I expected to be rusty, and just like last season, I need more races to get sharp. So I’m not worried, just about working up to the top now. Now my coach (Glen Mills) can analyse the race, see what we need to do, see what we need to work on and move from there,” the Jamaican superstar added.
Bolt conceded he still had work to do before Jamaica’s Olympic trials at the end of June. “I wanted to run fast, I was feeling good in training. But you never know because running in training and running at a track meet is two different things. It’s all about race fitness, so like last year, I need to get a few more races under my belt and by trials time I’ll be ready I’m sure.”
On the other side of the world, American Justin Gatlin showed he remains one of Bolt’s biggest obstacles to Olympic glory with a 9.94-second run to win the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.
Bolt is planning his campaign with the aim of defending his 100m, 200m and 4x100m Olympic crowns in Brazil, seeking an unprecedented third gold medal in a row in all three events in what he has said will be his final Olympics.
Bolt said he will race in Ostrava next week. “It’s just more races. My coach will determine what I need to work on, but right now it’s just more races. The more races I run, the better I will feel so I am just looking forward to running more races and see what happens. I am never worried. I’ve been in worse situations. It’s just race rusty. I can tell. I could feel the difference from when you are flying from when you are not.”
The 29-year-old superstar, who owns the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds and the world 200m record of 19.19, was competing for the first time since winning three gold medals at last August’s World Championships in Beijing.
Though Bolt was the star attraction for the fans, he was far from the standout performer on the night.
That accolade was earned in conclusive style by Kendra Harrison, who once again proved a class apart in the women’s 100m hurdles, winning in 12.42. The 23-year-old American, who tops the world lists courtesy of her 12.36-second run in Athens, Georgia, last month, powered away from her rivals from the outset and in near-still wind conditions (0.1), she clocked the second fastest time in the world this year.
Back in second was Canada’s Phylicia Crawford in 12.74, with Virginia Crawford of the US third in 12.81.
Elsewhere, American sprint star Jenna Prandini confirmed her good early season form by winning a sprint double. Prandini took victory in the 100m in 11.16 from Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart (11.20) and former world champion Carmelita Jeter, who was third in 11.34.
Prandini has gone under 11 seconds already this year over 100m, having run a wind-legal 10.95 to win at the Mt. Sac Relays in California last month.
She then returned a couple of hours later for the 200m, and powered around the bend and into the home straight with a clear advantage, one which only grew towards the finish, which she reached in 22.63 seconds. Jamaica’s Audra Segree was second in 23.08.
The men’s 200m was won with ease by Miguel Francis of Antigua & Barbuda, who ran 20.16 in calm conditions (0.3) to take victory ahead of Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (20.70).
Phyllis Francis was imperious in the women’s 400m, coming home 10 metres clear of her competitors to record 50.71, marginally outside her personal best of 50.50.
Spencer Adams was one of the few not to make grievous errors in the men’s 110m hurdles, and the American was rewarded with the win, coming home in 13.48 seconds ahead of Jamaicans Deuce Carter (13.65) and Tyler Mason (13.67).
Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Cedenio came from behind to take victory in the men’s 400m from Jamaica’s Demish Gaye, though his winning of 45.10 was some way down on the 44.36 he ran to win at this meeting last year.
Jamaica’s Ristananna Tracey took victory in the women’s 400m
hurdles in 55.97, coming home just in front of Turquiose Thompson of the US (56.35) and Danielle Dowie (56.91).