American Keni Harrison broke a 28-year-old world record in the 100m hurdles, clocking 12.20 seconds at the London Anniversary Games. Harrison, was already the fastest woman in the world this year, but will not be at next month’s Olympics after finishing only sixth in the US trials. The previous world record of 12.21 had stood since 1988 and was held by Yordanka Donkova of Bulgaria.
Harrison’s compatriots finished 2-4 behind her, with U.S. Olympic Trials champion Brianna Rollins coming in at 12.57, and Rollins’s fellow Olympic teammates Kristi Castlin and Nia Ali finishing in 12.59 and 12.63, respectively.
It is Harrison’s second record-breaking performance of the year. She set the American record of 12.24 on May 28 at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. She has earned USATF Athlete of the Week three times this year, her last for her then-American record in Eugene.
Harrison said she was nervous before Friday’s preliminary race. “I just tried to push all of the doubt out of my mind… I just told myself you know that you are the best. I just kept saying that over and over again,” Harrison said. A speedy 12.40 seconds in the preliminary restored her confidence. “I’m back,” Harrison said to herself.
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