EUGENE — Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long are headed to Paris to compete within the ladies’s 200 meters after ending 1-2-3 within the U.S. Olympic track and field trials Saturday at Hayward Area.
Thomas received in 21.81 seconds, with Brown ending second in a personal-best 21.90. Lengthy ran a 21.91.
“I got here out simply considering, I have to make prime three,” Thomas stated afterward. “There have been so many nerves happening within the second. I can breathe now … all the things’s coming collectively proper when it must, and now we’re seeking to a gold medal (in Paris).”
Sha’Carri Richardson completed fourth within the remaining in 22.16. Richardson won the 100 meters at trials to earn her spot on the Olympic staff for Paris. She didn’t converse to reporters after Saturday’s race.
Thomas, the reigning bronze medalist within the occasion, ran a world-leading 21.78 Friday through the semifinals, stunning herself. She stated after that race that she wouldn’t be shocked if she churned out a private finest Saturday, however fell in need of that mark.
Nonetheless, it was a stacked subject, and a terrific present for Hayward Area spectators.
“That was a tremendous 200-meter remaining,” Thomas stated. “I didn’t know who was going to make the staff. I’m not shocked at who made the staff however, geez. I knew I used to be going to should deliver it. I needed to battle for that, it was not a simple win.”
Every of the People shall be robust contenders for medals in Paris on condition that Jamaican star Elaine Thompson-Herah, the reigning Olympic champion within the 100 and 200, introduced final week she was withdrawing from the Jamaican trials due to an Achilles tear.
Lengthy, a star at Ole Miss who had one of the best time on this planet this season — which she ran in Eugene on the NCAA championships on June 8 — earlier than Thomas went even quicker within the semifinals. Lengthy, who additionally competed within the 100 right here however didn’t make the ultimate.
Lengthy has stated she is running in memory of her mother, Tara Jones, who died unexpectedly of a coronary heart assault earlier than the season began at simply 45.
“My coach advised me earlier than I even got here right here, run this primary 60-100 (meters) and it’ll carry you thru,” Lengthy stated. “I wished to remain on prime of Gabby’s hip and that’s what I did.”
E mail Lindsay Schnell at [email protected] and comply with her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell
