RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Jamaica’s Olympic Games 100m champion Elaine Thompson will lead five women from the Caribbean into the semifinal round of the 200m event at Rio 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Thompson, who advanced with a time of 22.63, looked very impressive from Heat four. She was beaten into second by Marie -Josee Talou of the Ivory Coast who was the fastest qualifier, running her Personal Best of 22.31 secs.
Leading the qualifiers from the region is Michelle Lee Ahye (22.50 secs) from Heat three ahead of Jamaica’s Simone Facey (22.78 secs) for second.
Also advancing automatically was Semoy Hackett (22.78) from Trinidad and Tobago while Tynia Garther (22.90 secs) of Bahamas got in as one of the fastest losers.
Veronica Campbell -Brown (JAM 22.97secs), and Anthonique Stratchan (BAH 22.96 secs) failed to advance when they placed third in Heat 9 and Heat 5 respectively. Their times were not quick enough for a fastest loser spot.
Arialis Gandulla (CUB 23.41 secs), Sheniqua Ferguson (BAH 23.62 secs), Brenessa Thompson (GUY 23.65 secs) and Reyare Thompson (TRI 22.97 secs) also regrettably made their exit. The system provides for qualification of the first two in each heat and the next six fastest.
World champion Dafne Schippers (NED 22.51), along with Americans Jenna Prandini (22.62), Deejah Stevens (22.45) and Tori Bowie (22.47) are also into the semifinals
The semi- finals of the 200m semifinal will be contested on August 16, 2016 at 8:00 pm.
Hope VCB gets ready and in tip top shape for the relays.