HENGELO, Netherlands (AP) World champion Dafne Schippers set a world-leading time in the 200 meters at the FBK Games Sunday in her third sprint race in as many days to show her early form in the Olympic season.
If not for a headwind and constant rain that left the track slippery, the Dutchwoman would have been the first to dip under 22 seconds this year. Instead, she had to settle for 22.02 seconds, shaving .23 off her previous season's best at her home meeting in eastern Netherlands.
''It was typical Dutch weather,'' Schippers said. ''You have to be able to run in all conditions.''
She beat Jodie Williams of Britain, who finished with 23.06. Tiffany Townsend of the United States was third in 23.12.
''I hadn't expected a time like this already now,'' said Schippers, the third best performer of all time with a time of 21.63. No one has run faster in the 21st century.
It was the second convincing victory for Schippers in three days after she won the 100 at Manchester's Great City Games in 10.94 with a big margin of .25 over American rival Tianna Bartolleta.
It would have been a perfect 3-for-3 had the Dutch 4x100 relay team not had a botched handover on the anchor leg, well after Schippers had seemingly sent them on their way to victory.
On Sunday, Schippers was not all that worried about the lack of top class opposition. What she required was race rhythm, the kind she will need in Rio, where she will be looking for a 100-200 sprint gold double and perhaps a shot at a relay medal.
At the European championships in Amsterdam in July, she will be running a potential four races in five days and at the Rio Games, she faces a potential eight races in 10 days.
''So it is great to know, I already have depth,'' Schippers said.
