With defending champion Allyson Felix failing to qualify for Rio 2016 in the event, there will be a new Olympic Champion of the Women’s 200-meters when the final takes place tonight.

This has one of the strongest fields of any of the finals in the Athletics program, and will take place at 21:30 Eastern Time.

How the field lines up

Eight women will race in the final, with the lane nine on the outside not being used.

On the inside, are the two fastest losers who have edged into the final; Deajah Stevens and Dina Asher-Smith. Both women came through as the fastest losers in the first semifinal, with the American in lane one and the Brit in lane two.

The winners of the three semifinals are in the center lanes. Last year’s World Champion in this event, Dafne Schippers is the fastest qualifier into the final and races in lane four. In lane three is Marie-Josee Ta Lou, who narrowly missed out on a medal in the 100-meters, whilst Tori Bowie will be looking to improve on her bronze medal in that final when she starts in lane five.

Tori Bowie after her heat in the 200-meters (Getty/Quinn Rooney)
Tori Bowie after her heat in the 200-meters (Getty/Quinn Rooney)

Elaine Thompson, the winner of the 100-meters final, finished behind Schippers in her semifinal and will look to do the sprint double from lane six. Outside of her in lane seven is Michelle-Lee Ahye, who has looked comfortable in the heats and semifinals and could be a danger here. In lane eight is the experience Ivet Lalova-Collio, who was Bulgaria’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Ivet Lalova-Collio make the final after finishng first and second respectively in their semifinal (AFP/Antonin Thuillier)
Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Ivet Lalova-Collio make the final after finishing first and second respectively in their semifinal (AFP/Antonin Thuillier)

Analysis

The most notable thing coming into this final is how slow the times have been so far. The only women to have run under 22 seconds so far is Schippers, in her semifinal, and another slow race here will make the race open, with most the women in the race capable of potentially taking a medal.

At the World Championships last year, Schippers edged out Thompson to take her first major title and it would not be a surprise if both featured in the medals for this race. The Dutchwoman is arguably the favorite for the title, and she should certainly improve on her 100-meters performance. She is not the best starter, though the 200-meters gives her more time to get into her stride and make up ground on her competitors, though Thompson is capable of improving during the race after a good start; this could be an interesting battle.

Dafne Schippers after easing through to the final of the 200-meters (AFP/Pedro Ugate)
Dafne Schippers after easing through to the final of the 200-meters (AFP/Pedro Ugate)

However, the race for gold is not just between these two, with the likes of Bowie, Ahye and Ta Lou likely to be in contention for the medals. The American will have the confidence of her silver in the 100-meters and based on how she eased down in her semifinal, she seems plenty of energy left; furthermore, she has a strong lane draw, right in the middle of the track and in the middle of Schippers and Thompson.

Ahye and Ta Lou were also both in the 100-meters final, so have the experience of competing in the finals and will not be intimidated by the big occasion. Neither of the two has particularly pushed themselves in this event so far, with Ahye looking very comfortable in her semifinal, and it would not be a surprise if either of these two featured in the medals.

Michelle-Lee Ahye in action during Rio 2016 (AFP/Johannes Eisele)
Michelle-Lee Ahye in action during Rio 2016 (AFP/Johannes Eisele)

Assessment

This is certainly an interesting race, with none of the women that far in front of the others in term of form and times.

Despite that, it is likely that it will be Schippers and Thompson who contest the gold medal. The Jamaican will be confident coming into this, but this is Schippers strongest event and she may just be too strong for the rest of the field.

Behind that, it seems that Bowie will have the strength and confidence to edge another medal ahead of the rest of field.

Prediction

Gold- Dafne Schippers

Silver- Elaine Thompson

Bronze- Tori Bowie

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About the author
Oliver Dickson Jefford
20. English Literature student at the University of Southampton. Aspiring sports journalist from Hertfordshire.