?Nothing Happened in 34 Years?: US Track Legend Backs Up Florence Griffith-Joyner as Her 100m Record?s Fairness Raises Question

Last year, Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah clocked a whopping 10.54 seconds during the Eugene 100m at the Wanda Diamond League 2021. The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has recently suggested that this be recognized as the new world record. However, four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson disagrees.

According to him, Thompson-Herah?s 10.54 should not replace Florence Griffith-Joyner?s 10.49 seconds, which was set in 1988.

Michael Johnson chips in on the debate

In a recent tweet made by the legend, Johnson claimed,??I watched from the infield. It was very windy.??He added,??But nothings happened in 34 years and much debate. So just leave it, come on!?

Elaine Thompson-Herah?s iconic run made her the second-fastest woman ever. However, the recent plea by the Jamaican Athletics Administration Association to crown her time as the world record has been quite a controversial move. Former American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner holds the current record. Griffith-Joyner, or ?FloJo?, ran the 100m in an astonishing 10.49 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1988.

FloJo?s record has been an issue that garnered much discourse from fans and figures alike. The reason is that the wind gauge recorded a curious 0.0 m/s despite the spectators claiming the day to be quite windy. It seems like Michael Johnson has also joined the bandwagon of a faulty recording, but despite his claim, Johnson doesn?t want FloJo?s record nullified. Coming from a sprinter with 12 global titles to his name, perhaps there is something to consider.

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What makes Florence Griffith-Joyner?s record uncertain?

In track and field, the wind is a weather factor that can heavily influence the sport. A good tailwind can considerably enhance the speed of the athlete. Therefore, it is against regulations for a record to be ratified if a tailwind exceeds 2 meters per second at any level.

In the case of FloJo?s record, the wind gauge recording a 0.0 m/s should technically have her sprint time qualify for record-keeping purposes. However, with multiple accounts of the day being windy, it has been argued that perhaps the gauge was broken. There have also been speculations regarding an official?s proximity to the gauge, resulting in an altered reading.

With a world record frequently doubted by the public, JAAA?s plea was maybe a step in setting the record straight. However, Thompson-Herah’s fans are rallying in support of the athlete?s potential. They firmly believe that pretty soon, Thompson-Herah will be able to smash the 10.49 time on her own, and this debate will be rendered redundant.

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