The final was automatically scheduled for Tuesday morning. Two lanes were left open for the fastest runners. Thomas, a native of Florence, was third in the second semifinal, finishing in 22.01 seconds. She was quicker than anyone in the first semifinal. However, she only needed two seconds more in the third semifinal to qualify for Tuesday’s run for the gold. It starts at 8:50 AM.
They weren’t.
Thomas was able to race for the gold by establishing the three fastest times in each event from the second semifinal. Elaine Thompson-Herah from Jamaica won the heat in 21.66 seconds, one of six fastest times ever. Thomas was beaten by Christine Mboma of Namibia, who crossed the finish line in 21.97. This qualifies her for the final.
“I want a medal of gold. Thomas stated that he was excited to pursue it on the USA broadcast.
Thomas won the U.S. Olympic Trials in 21.61, but she didn’t run faster than 22 seconds in her two first runs in Tokyo.
Mboma also beat Thomas in Sunday night’s first round. However, the Williston Northampton and Harvard graduate advanced to Sunday’s 200 semifinals, where she placed second in her heat in 22.22 seconds.
Thomas made her Olympic debut and ran out of the start. She led most of the race before Mboma switched on the jets to catch her. Thomas raced from lane 2, chasing down the entire field after the staggered turn around the corner. In the first round, she was second fastest.
Mboma is a great performer at the 400, but World Athletics barred him from running it due to naturally high testosterone levels.
MacLean moving on
Heather MacLean, a UMass graduate, was awarded a place in the women’s 1,500 semifinals. This is her Olympic debut. In 4:02.4, she was fifth in the third heat.
Each heat saw the top six finishers advance automatically, followed by six of the fastest times.
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon from Keyna holds the world-record for heat wins at 4:01.
MacLean will be running in the second semifinal on Wednesday at 6:12 AM. In the first round, she ran the fifth fastest time.
