World leader Gabby Thomas came from behind to take the win in the women’s 200m at the London Athletics Meet 2024Diamond League on Saturday (20 July), raising both her arms in delight after she crossed the line in a close finish.
Thomas had started well, but a similarly fast-starting Dina Asher-Smith had the home crowd at the London Stadium believing a British win could be on the cards.
Asher-Smith ran a superb bend, hitting the straight in the lead. But the 2019 world champion faded towards the line as, on her outside, Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfredovertook her as the metres ran out.
And, slightly further behind, Thomas too had kicked after a slow bend, first overhauling Asher-Smith before pipping Alfred at the line to win in 21.82 seconds into a fairly consistent 0.9m/s headwind.
That time broke the London Diamond League meet record, previously held by Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica, whose 22.10 from 2015 had stood for nine years.
Alfred was four one-hundredths behind in a new St. Lucian record 21.86, while Asher-Smith held on for third (22.07) ahead of her British teammate Daryll Neita.
It was an imperious run from Thomas, who figures to be one of the biggest challengers to world champion Shericka Jackson at the Olympic Games in Paris. The athletics programme begins in under two weeks.
