Defending national champion Gabby Thomas stormed to a world-leading time in the women’s 200m semifinals at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown with Sha’Carri Richardson at Hayward Field this weekend.
Thomas clocked an impressive 21.78 seconds, sending a clear message to her competitors ahead of Saturday’s final. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist expressed surprise at her performance, noting it felt like a “nice, controlled run” and hinting at the possibility of a personal best in the final.
Read more: Kishane Thompson Blazes to WL 9.77 secs 100m win at 2024 Jamaica Olympic Trials
“I know I’m in shape and I’m ready to run but it just felt like such a nice, controlled run for me and so, I don’t know, I didn’t expect to run that fast, feeling that good so it kind of excites me for tomorrow,” Thomas told NBC in an interview.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big PB tomorrow,” She added.
Advancing to the final as well well behind Thomas were Abby Steiner (22.03) and Tamara Clark (22.12), both securing season bests in the process.
Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson continued her quest for a sprint double, following up her 100m victory with a notable 21.92 seconds in her 200m semifinal heat. The world bronze medalist’s performance matched her personal best and pulled Jenna Prandini (22.26) and Oregon’s Jadyn Mays (22.33) into the final.
Another Paris Olympic hopeful, NCAA champion McKenzie Long won the second semifinal in 22.01, qualifying with the third-fastest time. Brittany Brown (22.08) and Tamari Davis (22.10) rounded out the finalists.
The stage is now set for a high-octane women’s 200m final on Saturday night at 8:27 p.m., with Thomas and Richardson emerging as the clear favorites in what promises to be a riveting showdown. However, don’t count out Long, who is aiming to bounce back from her disappoint in the 100m and make her first Olympic spot.
