Gabby Thomas emerged as an emphatic winner of the women’s 200m title in Paris. The 27-year-old clocked 21.81 [-0.6] to leave Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred [22.08] of Saint Lucia and fellow American Brittany Brown [22.20] behind with a dominant run.
For Thomas it was a well deserved gold after years of hard work. The Harvard University neurobiology graduate won silver in Budapest last year, for instance, behind Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, who won the world title 12 months ago.
The 27yr old [Thomas] was in the lead as runners came around the curve, and looked in control the whole race. Her joy was evident as soon as she crossed the line first, screaming in celebration and overcome with emotion.
“I didn’t realise I’d won this race until I crossed the line,” the Olympic bronze medallist continued. “I had an Olympic champion (Alfred) in the lane right next to me for starters.
“But I have been visualising this race for a long time.”
