In its eighth year as one of the premier track-and-field events in the world, the Adidas Grand Prix, was held recently at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. This Samsung Diamond League series headlined the world-class international roster, which featured athletes from 42 countries, 72 Olympic or World Championships medalists, 40 of whom are Olympic gold medalists and/or World Champions. Quite a few of the big winners were from the Caribbean and we’re proud to share all the details!
The brethren really showed out representing for the Caribbean. Jamaicans & Trinidadian nationals had a lot to be proud of. Maybe the pressure of the 50th Anniversary of Independence for both islands had something to do with it. Tyson Gay of the US kicked things off by winning Men’s 100 meters (race 1) with an impressive 10.00 with Jamaican runners Kemar Bailey-Cole and Jason Young both clocking in at 10.30. Rock Jock Yohan Blake won the Men’s 100 meter with a 9.90 which is a huge win for the Jamaican runner. Although he had challenges with his start, he admitted to our sports correspondent Warrick McInnis in an interview that he had a bad start but tried to recover in the home stretch. He also said that it takes ‘mental strength’ to prepare for fierce competition. Keston Bledman of Trinidad & Tobago came in a close second place with 9.93. Netherlands (Curacao) Olympic runner Churandy Martina won the Men’s 200 meter. He had fierce competition with Nickel Ashmeade and Warren Weir coming in a close second and third place respectively. Ricardo Chambers of Jamaica came in second place for the Men’s 400 meters behind US runner Jordan Boase. Shout out to Chris Brown of the Bahamas who came in third place in the Men’s 400 meter (second race). South African sprint runner Oscar Pistorius also wowed the crowd ran in this race. He is affectionately known as the “Blade Runner” as he runs with two artificial limbs. He was awesome out there.
The Ladies surely did not disappoint. Jamaican Jock Goddess Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won first place for in the Women’s 100 meters with 10.92. US runners Tianna Madison and Carmelita Jeter came in second and third places respectively. Sidebar: Even at the races there is always a little fashion police on the scene. Carmelita Jeters came in first for hair & make-up! Flawless, even after running 100 meters. US runner Sanya Richards-Ross won the Women’s 200 meters with 22.09 while Novelene Williams-Mills of Jamaica came in second in the Women’s 400 meter with 50.10 to US runner Francena McCorory with 50.06. US runner Ti’erra Brown won Women’s 400 meter with 54.85 hurdles with Jamaican runner Kaliese Spencer coming in second with 54.91. Jamaican runner Kimberly Williams came in second with 14.45-0.3 to Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan with 14.71-0.9 in the Women’s Triple Jump. It was an awesome race. Check out all the pics and video!! Photography by Warrick McInnis.
