Elaine Thompson-Herah, the Olympic gold medalist in the women’s 100m, said on Wednesday that Florence Griffith-33-year-old Joyner’s world record in the event is within her “reach” before this week’s Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.
Thompson-Herah, 29, successfully defended her Olympic title in July with a time of 10.61 seconds and will compete in Switzerland on Thursday in dry circumstances with little wind.
Griffith-Joyner of the United States ran a personal best of 10.49 seconds in 1988, and Thompson-Herah of Oregon ran a lifetime best of 10.54 seconds on Saturday.
“I had no intention of breaking that record when I went to Prefontaine,” she remarked.
“After a long championship, it was just another race day, and I came out with a personal best.
“10.5 is absolutely within my grasp, but I wouldn’t call it a goal at this time.
“If I receive it on a great day with perfect weather, I would definitely challenge it,” she continued.