Veronica Campbell-Brown gave track and field fans a good show for their money at the Adidas Grand Prix yesterday at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.
In 21.98 seconds, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Jamaica broke away to beat three-time world outdoor champ Allyson Felix of the U.S. in the women’s 200-meter dash.
“I had a good race,” said Campbell-Brown. “I know Felix finishes strong so I had to get out hard. I’m excited, it was a good race, wonderful ladies. I’m satisfied my time was under 22.”
Felix, the two-time Olympic silver medalist whose time was 22.02 seconds, blamed her finish on a “slow start.” American sprinter Bianca Knight took third at 22.59.
The Felix-Campbell-Brown showdown was the most anticipated of the day because Usain Bolt, “the fastest man in the world,” withdrew from the competition last week because of Achilles tendon injury.
“We as women work just as hard as men. We run the 400s, 200s, but they get double the recognition,” said American runner Dee Dee Trotter, who ran sixth in the 4×4 hurdles.
In the men’s 100-meter dash, Richard Thompson of Trinidad & Tobago won in 9.89 seconds. American Trell Kimmons ran fourth at 9.92.
This was the fifth stop in the IAAC Diamond League Adidas Grand Prix. The series resumes on July 3 in Oregon.