Diamond League: Gabby Thomas urge ‘Small but Mighty’ Alfred to set 200m Meet Record in London

American sprinter – Gabrielle Lisa Thomas came from behind to beat Julien ‘Mighty but Small’ Alfred to set a meet record at the Diamond League UK on Saturday, July 20 to a rapturous applause at the London stadium.

Thomas [27yrs], who won 22 conference titles across her three years of athletics in six different events while at Harvard had to keep her endurance above level to finish in 21.82 seconds ahead of Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia [21.86], and British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith [22.07].

“I feel really good. It’s made me feel confident going into the Paris Games after that one,” Thomas said in her post race interview.

“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.

“The crowd is incredible, the stadium is incredible and it’s so well run. I’m so happy to be here, this was a great experience.”

Thomas finished second in the women’s 200m final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 21.81 seconds, behind defending women’s 200m world champion – Shericka Jackson [21:41] of Jamaica.

With her current form, Gabby Thomas is likely to battle Shericka Jackson, and Julien Alfred for honors in the women’s 200m final in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

By James K. Attaglo Wilson