News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 16 years ago
Home  » Sports » Jelimo hits jackpot, Bolt wins in Brussels

Jelimo hits jackpot, Bolt wins in Brussels

By Darren Ennis
Last updated on: September 06, 2008 17:26 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Kenyan Pamela Jelimo claimed the Golden League's $1 million jackpot on Friday, while fellow Olympic champion Usain Bolt beat Asafa Powell to win the 100 metres at the Memorial Van Damme meeting.

Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic missed out on a share of the jackpot after finishing second behind German Ariane Friedrich, but ahead of Olympic champion and home favourite Tia Hellebaut who surprisingly finished third.

The 18-year-old Jelimo won the 800 metres in one minute 55.16 seconds, more than three seconds ahead of compatriot Janeth Jepkosgei and third-placed Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica.

Earlier, Bolt powered past fellow Jamaican Powell in the 100 metres to set a new course record time of 9.77 seconds.

Powell, who ran the joint second-fastest 100 of all time in Lausanne on Tuesday, finished in 9.83 after leading for most of the race until Bolt ran past him in the final 10 metres.

"I am used to chasing him," Bolt told reporters after a contest Powell described as "one of the most exciting ever. I was very excited about this race and knew it would be close".

Nesta Carter made it a Jamaican clean sweep by coming third in 10.07.

In the women's event, Belgium's European champion Kim Gevaert marked her last ever appearance on home soil when she scorched to victory in 11.25 seconds.

Amid the loudest roar of the night from the 50,000 capacity crowd, Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas finished second and American Me'Lisa Barber was third behind the 30 year-old Gevaert, who will retire at the end of the year.

Kenya's Paul Koech stunned Olympic and world champion Brimin Kipruto to win the 3,000 metres steeplechase while Kenyan Olympic silver medallist Eliud Kipchoge easily won the 5,000 in the opening race of the night.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Darren Ennis
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

New Zealand's tour of India 2024

New Zealand's Tour Of India, 2024