Top places for Jamaican athletes in British GP

Birmingham, Feb 19 (IANS): Two-time Olympic 100 metre champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce finished second after a positive maiden run in the British athletics grand prix indoor meeting at the weekend.

File Photo: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica

Fraser Pryce, the fourth-fastest woman in history over 100 metres with 10.70 seconds, and who has never raced indoors over 60 metres in her career, ran 7.09 seconds to finish second to an impressive Murielle Ahoure.

Ahoure, the Ivorian sprinter who entered the race as the world leader, lowered her season best to 6.99 seconds to register the first sub-7 seconds time this season.

The other Jamaican in the race, 2006 Commonwealth Games 100m champion Sherri-Ann Brooks, finished sixth in 7.21 behind American Carmelita Jeter who continued to show early signs of indoor rust laboured to fourth place in 7.18 seconds.

Fraser Pryce was among three Jamaicans who secured spots on the podium at the British athletics grand prix indoor meeting.

“I’m really excited, I just thank God for bringing me here and giving me the strength to come and have a wonderful time. It was a great experience and I am glad it happened in Birmingham,” said Fraser-Pryce, the 2008 and 2012 Olympic 100m champion.

“It was good, I enjoyed it, and I always said that I thought that indoors had a sort of heater inside, but it was the same temperature, but I enjoyed it, the track was really good.”

Olympic sprint relay gold medallist Nester carter and former world triple jump champion Tricia Smith were the other Jamaicans to reap success.

Carter, making his 2013 debut over 60 metres, clocked 6.56 seconds behind American winner Mike Rogers who logged 6.53 while Trecia Smith finished second in the triple jump.

The St. Kitts Nevis pair of Antoine Adams and Kim Collins placed third and fourth with 6.60 and 6.61 seconds, respectively.