KINGSTON (AFP) - World champ Veronica Campbell failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in her signature event and Usain Bolt validated his world's fastest human title at the Jamaican Olympic athletics trials.
Campbell equalled her season-best time of 10.88 seconds but it wasn't good enough as she placed a shock fourth in the 100 metre final at National Stadium on Saturday.
Campbell, the reigning 100m world champion and bronze medal winner at the 2004 Summer Games, needed to finish in the top three to qualify for Beijing.
Kerron Stewart won the 100m in 10.80, edging out Shelly-Ann Fraser who finished in 10.85. Sherone Simpson was third in 10.87.
Bolt got off to a blazing start in the men's 100m and dominated from start to finish to secure an easy victory in 9.85 seconds.
Powell was well back in 9.97 seconds while Michael Frater finished third in 10.04 seconds.
Bolt holds the world record of 9.72 seconds which he set May 31 in New York while Powell has the second fastest time in history at 9.74 seconds.
Bolt said felt Powell eased up near the end of the race.
"I think that Asafa (Powell) stop running from about 80 metres out," Bolt said.
While the pre-race focus was on the two fastest men in the world, Bolt said his main goal Saturday was to qualify for Beijing.
"We just went out there to qualify," Bolt said. "We got out (of the blocks fast) because we had to run the first part of the race.
Said Powell, "I just went out there to execute the first 50 metres and I am pleased with what I did," Powell.
"Bolt is running very well. I just had to play it safe," Powell said.
In the women's 400m hurdles, Melaine Walker (54.58) defeated Nickeisha Wilson (54.74) and Shevon Stoddart (54.88).
Danny McFarlane, silver medalist at the last Olympic, won the men's 400m hurdles event in 48.68, ahead of Isa Phillips (49.08) and Markino Buckley (49.14).
In the 1500m finals, Mardrea Hyman and Kevin Campbell won the male and female titles.
Hyman won in four minutes, 21.00 seconds while Campbell crossed the line in 3:56.97.
Former World champion Trecia Smith won the women's triple jump with a leap of 13.61 metres.
Comment 1 - 1 of 1
Just look at that... It's about time they really got the best athletes to compete in the best events. Jamaican women are out even after clocking 10.88" whilst US women with 10.90" are still in... Another woman will run 11.14" (is that the limit needed) to make it to the Games when someone faster wouldn't even be in the heats. I understand it's organised by countries but there should be a system that would enable wild-cards or simply the best runners who couldn't make it through their country's system still get a shot. I thought it was a shame last year not to see the best 400 m woman runner by a distance not run in her event at the World championship. Sure it gives opportunities for lesser-known athletes to make it on the big stage but i believe in -the best first, then the rest!!!
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