Nothing to prove - Thompson

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August 24, 2017

Photo

Elaine Thompson

ZURICH, Switzerland:

Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson said she has nothing to prove but to snare the US$50,000 ($6.4 million) prize money, which awaits the winner of today's Weltklasse Zurich Diamond League 200m final inside the Letzigrund Stadium.

Things might not have gone to script for Thompson at the World Championships in London, but she is looking forward to getting on track, as she races towards another Diamond Race triumph.

"I don't have anything to prove to the world. I am just going out there to have fun. It's my last 200m of the season, so nothing to prove.

Yes, there is some disappointment but still having fun," said Thompson, who also dismissed suggestions that she suffered from the extra pressure after her Olympic double in 2016 and another dominant season on the circuit.

"Honestly, there was no pressure, track and field is like life and life is like track and field. Sometimes you plan but it doesn't work out. I went into the championship and everything was smooth but it didn't happen how I planned it, so I just have to look forward to the rest of my career.

"I myself don't know what happened but what happened at the World Championships already happened. I can't dwell on that right now, I just have to move forward and focus on the rest of the season."

No pressure

Last year's 100m champion will face rival Dafne Schippers, Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Shaunae Miller-Uibo in the half-lap event, with experienced Jamaican Simone Facey also qualifying for the 200m Diamond League finale.

"Some of the best athletes are performing here and so it's really good coming back here and I'm just going out there to have fun, there is no pressure on me," Thompson told reporters yesterday.

Three other Jamaicans will be hunting Diamond race titles today - all three, like Thompson, are looking to end a testing season with success on the circuit.

Women's Triple Jump - 11:25 a.m.

Kimberly Williams

Women's 100m (Race 2) - 12:03 p.m.

Jura Levy

Schillonie Calvert-Powell

Christania Williams

Women's 200m - 1:24 p.m.

Elaine Thompson

Simone Facey

Men's 100m - 2:08 p.m.

Asafa Powell

Women's 100m Hurdles - 2:35 p.m.