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Four years ago at the Melbourne Games, Jamiaca's Asafa Powell ran the 100 metres in 10.03 seconds to win gold. Powell, the world champion was 23. At the Commonwealth games in Delhi neither he, nor Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt had deigned to make an appearance. So in the hope of giving their best young runners some international exposure, Jamaica had fielded Oshane Bailey, the 22-year-old national champion in this edition of the Games. Bailey was expected to do what Powell did in 2006. His compatriot, 29-year-old Lerone Ephraime Clarke, was only expected to be an also-ran.
However, Bailey's evening ended in despair and pain when he ran the last 10 metres of the second semifinal in obvious discomfort and fell to the ground clutching his right hamstring after crossing the line. Bailey had qualified for the final but the injury meant, Lerone Ephraime Clarke would be the only Jamaican runner in the 100 metre final. Clarke then ran what was probably the race of his life to win with a time of 10.14s.
Clarke had finished fourth in the Jamaican nationals earlier this year and at a touch away from his thirties isn't one of the next generation expected to take over after the reign of Powell and Usain Bolt. Clarke was the joint fastest qualifier from the semifinals and his personal best is 9.99 seconds. But he didn't have to run anywhere as fast on Thursday to become the fastest man of the Commonwealth Games.
Pearson heartbroken
The women's 100-metre final proved a farcial affair after England successfully appealed that Australia's winner Sally Pearson has false started. The medal ceremony in the women's 100 metres was canceled after the jury upheld England's appeal. Team England's appeal that Australia's winner Sally Pearson had indeed 'false-started', was upheld by the jury, which means the Beijing 100 metres hurdles silver medalist was disqualified.
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