American sprint legend Gail Devers predicts who will finally break Flo-Jo's long-standing 100 meter world record

American sprint legend Gail Devers predicts who will finally break Flo-Jo's long-standing 100 meter world record

Mark Kinyanjui 19:32 - 15.10.2024

Devers, a three-time Olympic athlete has revealed who she thinks will be the woman that will end Florence Griffith-Joyner's iconic 100m world record of 10.49 seconds.

Legendary American sprinter Gail Devers has given her thoughts on who might break Florence Griffith-Joyner's iconic 100m world record of 10.49 seconds, a mark that has stood since 1988.

 Known as "Flo-Jo," Griffith-Joyner is still considered the fastest woman in history, having also set the 200m world record that same year. Her electrifying performances, combined with her bold style, left an indelible mark on the sport.

At the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, Flo-Jo stunned the world when she blazed through the 100m in 10.49 seconds, shattering the previous world record held by Evelyn Ashford by a staggering 0.27 seconds.

 Over the course of the trials, she recorded the three fastest times ever for the 100m: 10.49 in the quarterfinals, 10.70 in the semifinals, and 10.61 in the final. She also set a new American record for the 200m with a time of 21.77 seconds.

Now, Devers, herself a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time World Champion, believes that today's top sprinters are capable of breaking Griffith-Joyner's long-standing record—if they continue pushing each other to new heights.

Elaine Thompson-Herah, the closest contender, came within a hair's breadth of the record in 2021, running 10.54 seconds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is third-fastest in history with a time of 10.60, while Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson are tied at 10.65. The reigning Olympic champion, Julien Alfred, ranks eighth with 10.72.

In an interview with TrackAlerts TV last June, Devers shared her optimism about the future of women's sprinting, saying:

"There are so many athletes that are running well, you just do not know. I think the world record can be broken."

She highlighted Elaine Thompson-Herah's near-miss, as well as the incredible form of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, despite her age.

"Elaine came very close a couple of years ago at the Olympic Games, and then she went to Europe and ran well. You can never underestimate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. I'm sorry, you can say what you want, but she knows how to win and when to win."

Devers also acknowledged the resurgence of Sha'Carri Richardson, along with emerging talents from around the world.

"Sha’Carri is back on her game. We have got some new, young, hungry athletes from all over the world. Do not know where the world record is gonna come from, but I know if all of them get together and run well, it could fall."

With such a competitive field, Devers remains hopeful that Flo-Jo's historic record may finally be broken, as athletes continue to push each other to greater heights.

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