American sprint legend explains rich quality that Jamaican sprint queens might use to stop American dominance

American sprint legend explains rich quality that Jamaican sprint queens might use to stop American dominance

Abigael Wafula 13:40 - 25.05.2024

American legend Michael Johnson has disclosed the main reason why he is not downplaying the ability of the Jamaican trio of Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson to stop Team USA from shining at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

American track legend Michael Johnson has opened up on the nature of sprinting and how the Jamaican trio of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shericka Jackson are threatening the dominance of American sprinters.

Johnson also expressed his frustration towards Sha’Carri Richardson’s past form, where she finished second and third respectively in the Diamond League Meetings in Xiamen and Suzhou.

He has his fingers crossed to see how she runs the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic, where she will race her first 100m race of the season. She goes up against Thompson-Herah and Johnson cannot wait to see the Jamaican compete in her first race.

The four-time Olympic champion also noted that Jackson has not been great so far this season but one thing he knows for sure is that Jamaicans always know when to turn up and give their all, something that Americans are yet to grasp.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya Instagram handle for more news.

“I mean, obviously they weren’t great, you would expect more. It will be interesting to see what she (Sha'Carri Richardson) does here in the 100m because that’s the event that we expect to see a lot from her.

“The Jamaicans you know…they are and have always been sort of the masters of being ready to go when it’s time to go when there’s a lot at stake. I would not underestimate the three Jamaicans, Shelly-Ann, Shericka, and Elaine.

“It will be very interesting to see where Elaine will be tomorrow and Shericka obviously didn’t look great in the 200m last week in Marrakech but when it’s time to go, I would expect them to be there,” Johnson told Letsrun.com.

He added that one sprinter who can shock the world this season is Julien Alfred, who won the world indoor title in Glasgow, Scotland.

The American noted that the youngster is primed to have a great season, just like how Botswanan sprint king Letsile Tebogo had an amazing 2023 season.

“I don’t that anybody is going under the radar…I think that Julien Alfred is a potential big breakout star. I mean, obviously, we all know she has talent but I don’t really think people have her figured into medals but I think that she could sort of have a year sort of what Letsile Tebogo had last year.

“I know that first year post-collegiate is always tough but I think coach Flo knows how to transition athletes. She’s the one that I’d say not necessarily going under the radar but because people know she is fast,” he added.

Tags: