Shericka Jackson targets 35-year-old ‘Flo-Jo’ record in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP)— Shericka Jackson is taking aim at Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 35-year-old 200m world record at the Brussels Diamond League meeting on Friday.
Jackson was just seven hundredths of a second off Griffith-Joyner’s 1988 mark when she captured gold at the world championships in Budapest last month.
READ: #WorldChamps2023: Jackson runs blistering 21.41 for 200m gold
“I was so close to it, it would have taken a little wind (0.1 m/s) and I would have beaten it,” said the Jamaican sprinter whose time of 21.41 was agonisingly close to the 21.34 set by the polarising ‘Flo-Jo’.
On Friday, Jackson believes the conditions in the Belgian capital are perfect to shatter the mark — brand new track and rare “Jamaican weather” of around 28 degrees at 9 pm.
“I talked about it with my coach, we are so close to the goal,” added Jackson, the second fastest woman in history over 200m.
“I hope to beat it tomorrow; otherwise I will have another chance in Eugene (at the Diamond League Finals).
She added: “I’ve had a few days off since Zurich (the most recent Diamond League event) and physically I feel fresh, my head is ready. Tomorrow is supposed to be one of those good days.”