De Grasse winning the 100m at Athletics Canada's Olympic Trials
De Grasse winning the 100m at Athletics Canada's Olympic Trials

Rio 2016: De Grasse tops Jamaica’s Powell, wins 100m in Houston

Andre De Grasse became the fastest man at the American Track League stop in Houston, beating Jamaica’s Asafa Powell in the process.

The world bronze medallist won the men’s 100 metres in 10.03 seconds on Saturday, edging out Powell who finished second in 10.08s. Powell is familiar name in the world of sprinting, having reached the 100m final at the past three Olympic Games. Dexter Lee gave Jamaica another top three finish, placing third with a time of 10.14s.

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Noelle Montcalm crosses the finish line ahead of Chanice Chase to win in the senior women's 400m hurdle final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Noelle Montcalm and Chanice Chase race in the women’s 400m hurdles at Olympic Trials in Edmonton on July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Chanice Taylor-Chase and Noelle Montcalm, who qualified for Rio earlier this month at Olympic Trials, had a 1-2 finish in the women’s 400m hurdles. Taylor-Chase won the event in time of 55.55s, Montcalm followed with a 56.40s to finish second. Third went to Claudia Francis who ran 56.49s on home soil. Brianne Theisen-Eaton, world silver medallist in the heptathlon also competed in Houston, finishing fourth in 100m hurdles.

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The American Track League is referred to by organizers as ‘where the party, meets track” and considered one of the most fun competitions of the year for athletes and spectators alike. With a DJ, performers and some of the worlds best athletes in attendance, the Houston edition got fans excited about athletics, with just 13 days to the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony.