Gabby Thomas wins gold in 200, leading American track stars in final at Paris Olympics

SAINT-DENIS, France — The last time Gabby Thomas was at the Olympics , she was mostly there to have a good time. Then 24 years old, Thomas was competing in her first Games and learning on the fly.

But in Paris, she came for gold. And Tuesday night, she got it.

Thomas won the women’s 200-meter final Tuesday night in Stade de France in front of more than 77,000 fans, sprinting to a 21.83 to earn gold. Thomas, 27, beat Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia (22.08) and Team USA’s Brittany Brown (22.20) who got silver, and bronze, respectively.

Thomas was in the lead as runners came around the curve, and looked in control the whole race. She was emotional as soon as she crossed the finish line.

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It is Thomas’ second individual Olympic medal. She has a bronze from the Tokyo Olympics 200 final, as well as a silver from the 4x100 relay. She is expected to run on the 4x100 relay team in Paris, too.

It is also her first gold medal at any major world championship. Last year, at the 2023 World Championships, she took silver in the 200.

At the U.S. track and field trials in Eugene, Thomas said she thought hard about running both the 200 and 400, but decided to focus on the 200 because she was so intent on winning gold in Paris. After she won the 200 title, she said she had no doubts she’s made the right decision.

American McKenzie Long finished seventh at 22.42

Alfred won gold earlier this week when she topped American Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100 final on Sunday. It was Saint Lucia’s first medal in any event.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gabby Thomas wins gold in 200, leading American track stars in final at Paris Olympics