Gabrielle Thomas comes from behind to win women's 200m at 2024 London Diamond League
World leader Gabby Thomas came from behind to take the win in the women's 200m at the London Athletics Meet 2024 Diamond League on Saturday (20 July), raising both her arms in delight after she crossed the line in a close finish.
Thomas had started well, but a similarly fast-starting Dina Asher-Smith had the home crowd at the London Stadium believing a British win could be on the cards.
Asher-Smith ran a superb bend, hitting the straight in the lead. But the 2019 world champion faded towards the line as, on her outside, Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred overtook her as the metres ran out.
And, slightly further behind, Thomas too had kicked after a slow bend, first overhauling Asher-Smith before pipping Alfred at the line to win in 21.82 seconds into a fairly consistent 0.9m/s headwind.
That time broke the London Diamond League meet record, previously held by Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica, whose 22.10 from 2015 had stood for nine years.
Alfred was four one-hundredths behind in a new St. Lucian record 21.86, while Asher-Smith held on for third (22.07) ahead of her British teammate Daryll Neita.
It was an imperious run from Thomas, who figures to be one of the biggest challengers to world champion Shericka Jackson at the Olympic Games in Paris. The athletics programme begins in under two weeks.
"I feel really good. It's made me feel confident going into the Paris Games after that one," Thomas shared after the race. "All things considered, hopping off the plane and coming into this stadium with all these people was a really good race for me. This crowd is incredible, it's got to be my favourite Diamond League - it's just so fun."
For Alfred, who is also focusing on the 100m having won the Monaco Diamond League last week, the result came as a slight surprise. "I don't know what to think," she admitted afterwards.
"I felt strong in the race. I'm going back to Monaco to train and then I'm off to Paris. I'd love to get a medal in both, but most importantly I just want to have fun. It's my first Games so having fun is important."
Women's 200m - London Athletics Meet 2024 Diamond League - Results
- Gabrielle Thomas (USA) 21.82
- Julien Alfred (LCA) 21.86
- Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) 22.07
- Daryll Neita (GBR) 22.20
- Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL) 22.35
- Tamara Clark (USA) 22.59
- Jenna Prandini (USA) 22.93
- Amy Hunt (GBR) 22.96