The American sprinter slowed down as she neared the finish line, realizing she lacked the energy to catch the three women ahead of her. Gabby Thomas dominated the highly anticipated women’s 200-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Trials, winning in 21.81 seconds. Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long secured their spots for Paris by finishing second and third, respectively.
Sha’Carri Richardson finished fourth in 22.16 seconds, ending her hopes of competing in both sprints in Paris. She had already become a top contender for Olympic gold in the women’s 100-meter by excelling in that event during the Trials’ opening weekend. After the race, Thomas, Brown, and Long celebrated together, while Richardson graciously applauded her victorious peers. She did not speak to reporters, maintaining her silence throughout the Trials.
Thomas’s victory was anticipated, given her history in the 200-meter race, where she won bronze in Tokyo and silver at last year’s world championships. She skipped the 400-meter race at Trials to conserve energy for her primary event. Thomas explained that this decision required discipline but ultimately proved wise.
Richardson’s failure to overtake Brown and Long was surprising, given her bronze in the 200-meter at last summer’s world championships and her faster times in earlier rounds at the Trials. Brown and Long’s impressive performances meant Richardson needed to be at her best to beat them.
