Tori Bowie, Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Daphne Schippers speak at Women’s 100 meters presser, 2017 London World Championships Press Conference

The women’s 100 meters was full of surprises.

Tori Bowie, gold medalist, 100 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

Elaine Thompson, who had won everything over the last two years, was not having one of her best races. Tori Bowie put together a great run, with her final 40 meters giving her the win, with a brilliant finish and lean at the finish line, taking the title from Marie-Josee Tal Lou, with Dafne Schippers taking the bronze.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou, silver medalist, 100 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

In the presser, Tori Bowie let her running do her talking, and Marie Josee Ta Lou and Daphne Schippers spoke about their races, and the races to come. The immediate impression in listening to these pressers is the immense pride that the athletes have in reprsenting their countries. I was truly touched by Marie Josee Ta Lou and her pride in representing the Ivory Coast.

Dafne Schippers, bronze, 100 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

Dafne Schippers was all smiles. Her first of three events was over, and she had a medal to show for it. A year of new coaching under Rana Reider had paid off. Schippers was setting her sites on the 200 meters.

Tori Bowie will get used to press conferences, as she will have many more, I suspect, in her future.