The opening stages of the Women’s 200-meter competition began today, with it being the first action on the track on a packed day of Athletics.
With several fast times being set, the heats were certainly competitive, though there were no real casualties with the likes of Dafne Schippers and Elaine Thompson all safely through to the semifinals, though two-time champion Veronica Campbell-Brown crashed out.
The American trio of Jennifer Prandini, Deajah Stevens, and Tori Bowie all made it through to the semifinals as well.
Ta Lou leads charge into the semifinals
The fastest qualifier for the semifinals was Marie-Josee Ta Lou. The Ivorian just missed out on a medal in the 100-meters but won her heat comfortably in a time of 22.31 seconds.
Schippers also missed out on a medal in the 100-meter final, though safely won her heat in a time 22.51. Thompson, who took the 100-meter title, finished second in her heat behind Ta Lou but is also comfortably into the semifinal.
Also impressing as they made it through were the American trio of Prandini, Stevens, and Bowie. All three won their heats, Bowie from the outside lane, to progress to the next stage with relative ease.
Blessing Okagbare and Dina Asher-Smith, who came first and second respectively in heat five, are also safely through, as are fellow medal contenders Semoy Hackett, Michelle-Lee Ahye and Simone Facey.
Also making it through
With just six fastest loser spots the competition was tight, with the spots being taken by Crystal Emmanuel in heat one, Tynia Gaither and Angela Tenorio in heat two, Gina Luckenkemper from heat four, Jodie Williams from heat seven and Mujinga Kambundji from heat eight.
Also making it through were remaining heat winners, Ivet Lalova-Collio and Edidiong Ofonime Odiong, the current world junior champion, as well as Murielle Ahoure, Nataliya Pohrebnyak, Lisa Mayer, Nercely Soto and Ella Nelson.
Campbell-Brown crashes out in disastrous fashion
For the second major championship in a row, the two-time Olympic Champion in this event, Veronica Campbell Brown, ran into an opponent’s lane.
Agonizingly, this mistake around the corner cost her a place as one of the fastest losers, as she missed out by just one one-hundredth of a second.
Another notable name to miss out was Anthonique Strachan. The former junior champion finished third in heat five, with her time not quick enough to go through.