LIMA, Peru -- American sprinter Mike Rodgers didn't let the consistently cool weather at the 2019 Pan American Games slow him down too much in winning the men's 100-meter final Wednesday with a time of 10.09.
Rodgers took control about two-thirds of the way into the race to beat Brazil's Paulo Andre de Oliveira (10.16) and Antigua's Cejhae Greene (10.23) on a chilly, overcast afternoon in Lima.
"It was cold. I didn't think I was going to run that fast, and I was kind of cramping in the beginning," Rodgers said. "Start wasn't the best today, but I just focused on my race and just outexecuted everybody and that's how I got the win today."
The 34-year-old, who will anchor the 4x100-meter relay for the U.S., said he felt he didn't have to do much and might've been faster in warmer climes.
"If the weather was better, I felt there would've been faster times," he said. "Hoping they can hold some meets here while it's hot. That would be cool."
Jamaica's Elaine Thompson took gold in the women's 100, running an 11.18. Trinidad and Tobago's Michelle-Lee Ahye took the silver at 11.27, and Brazil's Vitoria Silva Rosa the bronze at 11.30.
