Elaine Thompson-Herah equalled her personal best in the semi-finals to join compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the final of the women’s 200 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Monday (August 2).

Thompson-Herah, out in lane nine of Semi-finals Two, showed that she is in imperious form as she did not run the entire distance at full speed, but still managed to run 21.66 seconds, which equalled her best. The first time she ran that time was in 2015 in Beijing, China.

Thompson-Herah was out quickly and was well ahead by the end of the curve, but with Christine Mboma of Namibia chasing closely behind, had to work until approximately 150 metres, where she had placed some distance between Mboma and then took it easy to the end.

Mboma finished in 21.97 with Gabrielle Thomas of the United States of America third in 22.01.

Fraser-Pryce ran a hard curve to come into the home stretch in the lead and then slowed considerably, as she cruised to the finish line to win in 22.13 seconds with Beatrice Masilingi of Namibia second in a personal best of 22.40 as Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas third in a season best of 22.56.

Earlier on Monday, Shericka Jackson misjudged her position and failed to qualify for the semi-finals as her time was not one of the three fastest that advances with the first three from each of the heats.

Jackson had cruised for most of the race to conserve energy but was still second in the race and in a position to move on automatically.

With approximately 10 metres left, however, Jackson eased her pace considerably and was passed by Dorcas Bazolo of Portugal and joined by Dalia Kaddari of Italy who was credited with the same time.

The three Jamaicans had swept the women’s 100 metres event, with Thompson-Herah getting the gold, Fraser-Pryce the silver and Jackson the bronze.