Elaine Thompson-Herah, of Jamaica, celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the final of the women's 200-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in Tokyo.
August 2, 2021
Elaine Thompson-Herah secures historic Olympic ‘double double’
TOKYO, Japan – Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah cemented her legacy as one of the greatest female sprinters as she became the first woman to defend her Olympic sprint double title, smashing Merlene Ottey’s 30 year-old national record along the way, in the final of the women’s 200m in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Thompson-Herah, who had won the 100m earlier in the Games, came off the curve trailing several opponents including compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce but ran away from the field to secure a brilliant victory in 21.53 seconds (0.8m/s).
Fraser-Pryce was fourth in 21.94 seconds.
Namibia’s 19 year-old Christine Mboma was second with a new World Under 20 record 21.81 seconds while American Gabrielle Thomas took the bronze in 21.87 seconds.
Paul A Reid
