2. Fraser-Pryce vs Schippers & Bowie
With two consecutive Olympic GOLD medals in the 100m, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be seeking to make it a hat trick of titles in Rio. However, she will have to contend with the likes of Dutch powerhouse Dafne Schippers and USA’s Tori Bowie amongst others, who finished in 2nd and 3rd positions at the World Championships last year behind the ‘Pocket Rocket’.
Both athletes will be gunning for the ultimate prize as well and it will be interesting to see how the season pans out with the trio likely to test their strength against each other in the Diamond League series which kicks off in May. It is not yet clear if the Jamaican will sit out the 200m just like she did last season, concentrating instead on the 100m where she retained her title before anchoring the team to victory in the 4x100m.
Many will agree that Fraser-Pryce will certainly face a herculean task in trying to tame Schippers who has become something of an enigma, and is quite unpredictable as it stands. The 23-year old has been making steady progress in both the 100m/200m, and has set National Records (NR) in both events multiple times.
The threat posed by Bowie can also not be overlooked. The jumper-turned-sprinter ended 2014 as the world’s No.1 with a Personal Best (PB) of 10.80s, and was able to end up with Bronze in Beijing despite not having the best of seasons. It therefore goes without saying that the American can pull a surprise at any time, especially when in form.
That notwithstanding, Fraser-Pryce still dares to dream: “I am honoured to be one of three women who have defended the Olympic 100m title – if I can manage to defend that in Rio then perhaps I would be seen as a legend,” she said.
I want know if Nigeria has any hope in the coming Rio Olympics. Thanks.
Well, we can only be hopeful. It’s a tough call, but anything can happen.
As long as the rivalry between Nigel AMOS and Rudisha (800m) is not in the list then the expected excitement in the league is incomplete.
Hi Ogopotse, the rivalry between Nijel Amos and David Rudisha is the real deal and cannot be ignored, so we put it in a different article titled ‘Top 6 African Athletics Rivalries in 2016’. Here is the link: https://www.makingofchamps.com/2016/02/01/8321/. Thanks!