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Gabby Thomas is the new 200 meter champion at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic games, and Michael Johnson has now revealed how similar she is to the legendary Allyson Felix.
American sprint icon Michael Johnson has drawn striking comparisons between newly crowned 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and track legend Allyson Felix.
Felix, the most successful American track and field athlete in history, amassed an incredible seven Olympic gold medals and 14 world titles throughout her illustrious career, which began at the 2004 Athens Olympics and concluded in 2022.
Felix's versatility and dominance spanned across the 200m, 400m, and both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. As Johnson notes, Gabby Thomas is emerging as a worthy successor, showcasing similar range and prowess across multiple sprint events.
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12:31 - 08.08.2024
Paris Olympics: Sha’Carri Richardson & Gabby Thomas lead Team USA to 4x100m relay final
Team USA had no equals as they coasted to the Olympics 4x100m relay final with Germany, France, Britain, Jamaica and Switzerland joining them.
Speaking on the Night Cap podcast, Johnson provided an insightful analysis of both athletes, highlighting Thomas as the closest athlete to embody Felix's extraordinary qualities. “She is a very unique athlete.
"She has got range from 100 to 400. She is world class in all of them. She is a 10.9 100 meter runner, a sub 50 and even 49 low 400m runner, and she could yet improve on all of those,” Johnson remarked.
What sets Thomas apart, according to Johnson, is her ability to combine speed and endurance across a wide range of distances, much like Felix did in her prime.
“She has that perfect combination. A long stride in the 200 like Allyson Felix. Gabby got bronze in 2021 at the last Olympics, and this was great redemption,” Johnson continued, referencing Thomas's previous podium finish and her recent ascent to Olympic champion.
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14:50 - 06.08.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Justin Gatlin saves special praise for Letsile Tebogo & Marcell Jacobs despite failing to achieve podium finishes in 100m final
Gatlin believes both sprinters have the capabilities to kick on from their performances in the final of the 100m, which saw all the eight racers sensationally record sub-9.92 second finishes.
Thomas has consistently proven her capabilities not only in individual events but also as a valuable asset in relays.
“She has ran on both [4x100m and 4x400m] and she is always in the relay pool for both. Last year, and also in Eugene, she was in both,” Johnson noted, emphasizing her importance to Team USA's relay squads.
While Thomas has shown versatility across multiple sprint distances, Johnson also touched upon the limitations faced by other sprinters, such as Noah Lyles, in competing across different relay events.
Lyles, primarily a 100m and 200m specialist, expressed interest in participating in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. However, Johnson explained why this might not be feasible.
“Noah wanted to be part of the 4x400, but no, you cannot participate in that if you have not gone out there and ran against people, world class in the 400,” Johnson stated, underscoring the high level of competition and specialization required for such events.
14:50 - 06.08.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Justin Gatlin saves special praise for Letsile Tebogo & Marcell Jacobs despite failing to achieve podium finishes in 100m final
Gatlin believes both sprinters have the capabilities to kick on from their performances in the final of the 100m, which saw all the eight racers sensationally record sub-9.92 second finishes.
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