Gabby Thomas and Julien Alfred fastest qualifiers to set up dream women’s 200m final at Paris 2024 Olympics
Gabby Thomas and newly-minted Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred clocked the fastest times in the semis on Monday (5 August) to set up a potential mouth-watering dual in the women’s 200m final at Paris 2024.
US star Thomas will back into the blocks on Tuesday’s final as one of the favourites after posting the fastest times in both the heats and semi-final rounds.
Thomas, who came into the Games boasting the fastest time over the half-lap this year, won her heat stopping the clock at 21.86 seconds.
The US star was in fine form pulling away from former world champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain as she headed into straight. Thomas eased off as she approached the line for a comfortable win over the second-placed Asher-Smith with 22.31s.
The biggest threat to Thomas’ gold-medal dreams will no doubt come from Alfred of Saint Lucia.
Nigeria’s Favour Ofili, running on her inside, had a slight edge coming out the bend before Alfred turned on the afterburners cruising to victory in a time of 21.98s. Ofili followed shortly behind her to secure her spot in the final with a season’s best 22.05s.
Alfred emerged from relative obscurity to claim the 100m title on Saturday night and now has a chance of becoming only the eighth woman ever to win the sprint double at the same Olympics. Before Alfred’s historic run, Saint Lucia had never won a medal at the Games, now the Caribbean nation is on the cusp of a second.
Brittany Brown and Darryl Neita claimed the two automatic qualifying spots in the third semi-final with the former crossing first in 22.12s with following in 22.24s. Jessica Gbai of Ivory Coast and McKenzie Long of the US were the two time qualifiers for the final on Tuesday.