Thompson leads Jamaica’s sprint charge

After winning nine of the 12 sprint events in 2008 and 2012 combined, Jamaica have now won the first three in Rio and, with Bolt impressively advancing to the 200m final and their relay teams oozing talent, they could take all six. While the days of the United States dominating sprinting are long gone, they can at least take some consolation from their own special sweep on Wednesday. 

Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin completed an unprecedented 1-2-3 in the 100m hurdles - the first gold on the track at the Rio Games for the United States. 

The United States also took gold and silver in a fantastic long jump final through Tianna Bartoletta and Brittney Reese.

While Bolt is now one step away from securing a third Olympic sprint double, he had to give top billing on Wednesday to compatriot Thompson, who delivered gold in the 200 despite nursing a tight hamstring. 

Thompson faced stiff opposition, particularly in the shape of Dafne Schippers, but after running a terrific bend she maintained her form to hold off the Dutchwoman and crossed the line in a season-leading 21.78. 

Thompson become the first woman to win both the 100 and 200 since American Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988. 

Schippers took silver and American Tori Bowie added a bronze to her silver from the 100. 

There was no disputing the depth of 100m hurdles talent on the U.S. team, with world record holder Kendra Harrison and 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper failing to make the cut, but to take all three medals was more than they could have hoped for. 

Rollins was the clear winner in 12.48 though Castlin had a nervous wait before discovering she had sneaked bronze. 

In the long jump Bartoletta soared to a personal best 7.17 meters with her fifth jump to take gold, with defending champion Reese leaving it even later with a last-attempt 7.15 to snatch silver ahead of Serbia’s Ivana Spanovic. 

Darya Klishina, Russia’s one-woman athletics team, finished ninth.Farah recovered from a fall to win the 10,000 earlier this week.