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Thompson-Herah attains double-double, Thomas bronze in 200m

Posted at 8:13 AM, Aug 03, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-03 14:10:06-04

Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah successfully defended her 200m gold Tuesday, adding to her 100m title from three days prior to achieve the elusive sprint double-double – the first woman to accomplish the feat in Olympic history.

The 24-year-old won the 100m and 200m at the 2016 Rio Games, and followed up with repeats in both events in Tokyo, thus giving her consecutive doubles in back-to-back Olympics.

In Tuesday's final, Thompson-Herah ran a mind-boggling 21.53, the second-fastest time in history behind only Florence Griffith-Joyner's 21.34 world record set at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, at which Flo-Jo herself doubled.

She was equally impressive in winning Saturday's 100m final, breaking Griffith-Joyner's Olympic record in 10.61 to assume the first of her now two spots at second-fastest all-time – both behind Flo-Jo, the events' world record-holder.

SEE MORE: Thompson-Herah defends Olympic 100m gold in Jamaican sweep

"It's been a rough week, I'm super tired, haven't slept after the 100m," she said after the race. "Honestly, I'm so tired, I'm so grateful. It's amazing."

American Gabby Thomas took bronze in 21.87, denying Thompson-Herah's countrywoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce a spot on the podium.

Eighteen-year-old Christine Mboma of Namibia went from sixth to second in the last 20 meters to earn silver in 21.81 and become her nation's first female Olympic medalist.

Thompson-Herah's sprint double in Rio was the first on the women's side since Flo-Jo, and seventh woman overall.

Her compatriot Usain Bolt completed a triple-triple in the two individual sprint events from Beijing to Rio.