Australia

Elaine Thompson-Herah becomes first woman to win Olympic sprint double twice in athletics



Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah has added the 200m gold to her victory in the 100m in Tokyo, becoming the first woman to claim the Olympic sprint double twice.

Thompson-Herah won the 200m final in stunning fashion on Tuesday night, setting a Jamaican record with a personal best time of 21.53 seconds.

It is the second fastest time in history, sitting behind Florence Griffith Joyner’s world record of 21.34, set in 1988.

She finished well clear of the rest of the field, with 18-year-old Christine Mboma of Namibia taking silver in 21.81.

Gabby Thomas of the United States claimed bronze in 21.87, just edging out 100m silver medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (21.94).

Thompson-Herah’s win followed her victory in Saturday night’s 100m final.

She won both the 100m and 200m gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt won the men’s sprint double at three consecutive Games.

In other gold medals decided on Tuesday night, world record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden won the men’s pole vault final after clearing a height of 6.02m on his first effort.

American Chris Nilsen cleared the bar at 5.97m with his first attempt but could not match Duplantis and picked up the silver medal.

Brazil’s Thiago Braz, who won the title at his home Olympics in Rio de Janeiro five years ago, took bronze with his effort of 5.87m.

Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, competing in his first Olympic final, did not register a height after missing all three attempts at 5.55m.

Athing Mu of the United States won gold in the women’s 800m, while Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk topped the podium in the women’s hammer throw.

ABC/Reuters



Source link

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button