RIO DE JANEIRO—Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye placed sixth in the Olympic Games women’s 200 metres final here at the Joao Havelange Stadium last night, as Jamaican Elaine Thompson completed the sprint double.
Ahye clocked 22.34 seconds in repeating the sixth place position she also finished at in the 100 metres final.
Running in lane seven, Ahye was off to a quick start but had to contend with the early speed of Thompson in lane six. The Jamaican, who was a surprise winner of the 100 metres, went on to pass Ahye on her right on the bend, and was never headed as she ran out a comfortable winner in a season best 21.78.
Pre-race favourite Dafne Schippers, of the Netherlands, had to settle for second place in 21.88, while American Tori Bowie, who had the worse start of the eight runners, finished with a flourish to grab the bronze in 22.15.
Thompson had dethroned her countrywoman, the two-time winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in the 100 metres. Bowie was the silver medalist in that race.
Schippers had sealed the favourite’s status with a 21.96, the fastest time in the semifinals on Tuesday, but had no answer for Thompson last night.
Marie-Josee La Tou, of the Ivory Coast, finished fourth in 22.21, just ahead of Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (22.34).
American Deejah Stevens (22.65) and Bulgaria’s Ivet Lalova Collio completed the field.
In getting to the final of the 100 metres, Ahye had become the first T&T female athlete to reach the individual final of a track event at the Olympics.
Her time of 22.25 in the 200 metres semifinals on Tuesday night bettered her own record of 22.33 which she established at the National Championships in July.
A tired looking Ahye said afterwards last night that she did her best. “It has been tough, but it’s not over yet, we still have the relay to take care off and hopefully we can make the country proud with a good performance there.”
Ahye said she will be looking to get some rest and see how quickly she can recover for her next assignment, the 4x100 relays, which start tonight.
There is speculation as to whether she will take part in the first round, having completed six rounds of racing.
“We will have to wait and see how she comes out of tonight’s race before deciding on the four for the first round of the relays,” said team manager George Commissiong last night
HOW THEY FINISHED
1. Elaine Thompson, Jamaica, 21.78
2. Dafne Schippers, Netherlands, 21.88
3. Tori Bowie, United States, 22.15
4. Marie-Josee Ta Lou, Côte d'Ivoire,
22.21
5. Dina Asher-Smith, Great Britain,22.31
6. Michelle-Lee Ahye, Trinidad & Tobago,
22.34
7. Deajah Stevens, United States, 22.65
8. Ivet Lalova-Collio, Bulgaria, 22.69