World Indoors: Jamaican women book spots in 60m semis

Double Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson along with Remona Burchell and Gayon Evans all secured their spots in the semi-finals of the women’s 60m event at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at Arena Birmingham this morning.

Thompson, who won bronze at the last championships in Portland, Oregon, finished second in heat two in 7.20 seconds. The event was won by Maria-Josse Ta Lou in 7.17 seconds.

The 25 year-old Thompson, who has a season’s best time of 7.12 seconds, had a good start before shutting it down five metres from the line, where she was passed by Ta Lou.

Burchell, who is the fastest Jamaican qualifier, finished second in heat six in 7.19 seconds. 

The race was won by Germany’s Tatjana Pinto in 7.18 seconds.

Burchell said she is very happy to be in the semi-finals. 

"I am feeling good because I know that I am good shape and I wanted to make the semi-finals and after making the semi-finals, I know that I can do a lot better,” Burchell said.         

“I need to be a lot more quicker out of the blocks in the semi-finals because I need to be able to get out with the other girls and get my top end speed going,” Burchell added.

Evans also secured her place in the semi-finals after finishing third in heat four in 7.33. The event was won by Carolle Zahi of France in 7.11 seconds.

The semi-finals is set to run of 1:50 p.m. (Jamaica time).  

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