Gabby Thomas wins 200-meter Olympic final and takes gold : NPR

SAINT-DENIS, France — Three years in the past on the Tokyo Summer time Video games, Gabby Thomas was pressured to accept bronze within the ladies’s 200 meter last.

However operating Tuesday evening at Stade de France earlier than a crowd of some 80,000 individuals, the 27-year-old American began quick, broke away early and gained her first gold medal.

There can be no settling this time.

Clutching her head after crossing the end line, Thomas regarded relieved and joyous at her win. She unfold her arms with the American flag to have fun.

“I’m actually in disbelief as a result of having an Olympic gold medal is one thing in my wildest goals. However on the identical time I understand how exhausting I’ve fought for it,” Thomas stated after the race.

“I used to be not ready for a way I used to be going to really feel once I crossed the road as an Olympic champion. There may be nothing like strolling right into a stadium of 80,000 individuals they usually’re screaming they usually’re proper on high of you. It made it much more particular once I crossed the road.”

Julien Alfred of St. Lucia, who gained a gold medal within the 100-meter last in Saint-Denis on Saturday, took silver. It was the second-ever medal for her nation. Alfred stated she hoped her breakout performances in Paris would encourage extra athletics – and extra monetary help – in her island nation.

“I really feel good,” Alfred stated. “This implies loads. First Olympics, to return with gold and silver, I can’t ask for greater than that.”

American Brittany Brown, age 29, gained bronze. “It feels superb to be round these ladies, to be part of this class of ladies,” Brown stated. “It is one thing you aspire to be once you develop up.”

American Gabby Thomas cruises throughout the end line to win the ladies’s 200m last on the Paris Summer time Video games. St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred took silver and Workforce USA’s Brittany Brown gained the bronze.

Jewel Samad/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

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Jewel Samad/AFP by way of Getty Pictures