World Indoors | Thompson, Burchell hunt 60m medals

BIRMINGHAM, England:

Jamaican sprinters Elaine Thompson and Remona Burchell will aim to secure the country’s first medals at the IAAF World Indoor Championships this afternoon (Jamaica time) when they contest the final of the women’s 60m at Arena Birmingham.

Thompson, the reigning double Olympic gold medal winner, secured her spot in the final, after finishing second in her semi-final in a season’s best time of 7.07 seconds.

The race was won by Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure in a world-leading time of 7.01 seconds.

Thompson was very happy with her performance.

“I am glad to be in the final," said Thompson. Last week I finished third in Glasglow and to come out here and run a season’s best time, I am very happy for that,” Thompson said.  

Burchell advanced to the final after copping third place in her semi-final in 7.15 seconds, the same time as second placed Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago. The race was won by Marie-Josee Ta Lou in 7.08 seconds.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s other competitor in the semis, Gayon Evans, had to withdraw because of a hamstring problem.    

The final will take place at 4:38 p.m.