Gabby Thomas cruises into semi-final to set up showdown with Julien Alfred for Olympics 200m gold medal

Gabrielle Thomas of the United States competes in the women's 200m round 1 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Gabby Thomas cruises into semi-final to set up showdown with Julien Alfred for Olympics 200m gold medal

Joel Omotto 13:03 - 04.08.2024

American Gabby Thomas had no equals in her heat as she easily made it into the semi-final with eyes on a first Olympics gold.

Gabrielle Thomas cruised into the semi-final of the women’s 200m after winning her heat at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

Thomas clocked 22.20 seconds for victory while Jamaican Neisha Bulgher finished second in 22.54 and Swiss Mujinga kambundji was third in 22.75.

The American is bidding to claim Olympics gold after managing bronze in Tokyo three years ago and is among the favourites given she has the fastest time of the year.

Thomas won silver at the 2023 World Championships but there is hope of elevating it to gold even though she is up against newly-crowned 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia.

Alfred laid down the marker with a dominant win in the opening heat when she clocked 22.41 to claim first place.

Thomas will, however, be encouraged by the absence of world champion Shericka Jackson who pulled out of the race shortly before her heat with injury concerns.

The 27-year-old qualified for the Paris Olympics by winning the US Olympic trials 200m race in a time of 21.81.

She won the 200m at the final pre-Olympic Diamond League meeting in London, England, on July 20, in a time of 21.82.