Paris 2024 Olympics: Julien Alfred & Gabby Thomas to headline women's 200m semis

Paris 2024 Olympics: Julien Alfred & Gabby Thomas to headline women's 200m semis

Abigael Wafula 13:43 - 05.08.2024

Julien Alfred, Gabby Thomas, and Flavour Ofili will be out to continue the hot streaks to the women's 200m semis with the hope of making the final and finishing in the podium bracket.

The women’s 200m semifinal pits some of the greatest sprinters from across the globe whose main goal will be to qualify for the final and make history.

Among the notable names lining up for the semifinal on Monday night will be Gabby Thomas, newly-crowned Olympic champion Julien Alfred, Nigerian star Flavour Ofili, Daryll Neita and McKenzie Long.

Two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson withdrew from the 200m at the Olympic Games but that does not change a lot of things since the women lining up for the race will surely look to live up to the billing.

Jackson was going to the race as a threat to the athletes since she is the fastest woman alive over the distance but her season has been clouded with an injury and a late start, forcing her to postpone her Olympic dream.

In the race, Alfred will be chasing her second Olympic gold medal after claiming a gold medal in the women’s 100m final. She already has experience in running against a strong field and her confidence is boosted after she beat reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson.

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With the absence of Jackson, Thomas takes the spotlight and she will be keen to improve on her silver medal from the 2023 World Championships. The world 200m bronze medallist finished behind Jackson in the tight race and with the Jamaican’s absence, she will be out to dominate in the semis.

Ofili will be chasing history and the semis, being one of the hardest races to sail through, she will have to dig deep to impress and make her way to the final.

Neita after finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on the podium bracket in the women’s 100m final will be out to book her slot in the final and fight for a medal. Long, making her debut at the Olympics in an individual event will be looking to make a mark, teaming up with Thomas.

The women’s 200m semifinal will be hotly contested as the top runners seek to make the cut to the final and fight for the podium place.

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