More history was made on the track on Wednesday at the 2016 Rio Olympics, including an American sweep in the women’s 100 meter hurdles and an upset in the women’s 200 meters.
Wednesday’s slate at the 2016 Rio Olympics included four more track and field finals, headlined by the finals in the women’s 200 meters.
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson followed up her 100 meter title with a victory in the 200. Thompson was first off the bend and held off world champion Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands by .1 seconds in the last 50 meters, running a season-best time of 21.78. Tori Bowie of Team USA closed late and added a bronze to her silver in the 100 meters. Thompson is the first woman to complete the 100-200 Olympic double since Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988.
Team USA had a strong showing in the semifinals of the women’s 100 meter hurdles ahead of the final later that evening with three of the top four times of the round. That domination carried over into the final as the United States swept the podium, led by Brianna Rollins in a time of 12.48 seconds.
Nia Ali ran just behind Rollins the entire race and took silver, and teammate Kristi Castlin came from behind to win bronze. That marked the first time a nation has ever swept the podium in an Olympic hurdles race.
The final of the women’s long jump brought plenty of drama, with American teammates battling to the end. Tianna Bartoletta took the lead in the fifth round with a mark of 7.17 meters, a mark defending champion Brittney Reese fell short of by just two centimeters in her own fifth attempt. Ivana Španović of Croatia came in third with a mark of 7.08 meters, as the three jumpers separated themselves from the field.
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Wednesday’s first final was in the men’s 3,000 meter steeplechase during the morning session. History was made in the event, as Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto set a new Olympic record of 8:03.28 to win gold.
One day after Emma Coburn became the first American woman to medal in the event, Evan Jager won the first medal for the U.S. men since 1984 with a silver. Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi originally took bronze but was disqualified for a lane violation following a formal complaint, moving France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad up.
Usain Bolt returned to the track on Wednesday night, winning his semifinal of the 200 meters with a time of 19.78 seconds. American Justin Gatlin shockingly missed out on the final after finishing third in his heat, but teammate LaShawn Merritt is moving on after running a 19.95. Canada’s Andre De Grasse turned in an impressive effort of 19.80 seconds and looks like a contender to win his second medal of the Games.
The men’s decathlon got underway with five events spread throughout the day. Defending champion Ashton Eaton of Team USA has a 121 point lead over Germany’s Kai Kazmirek halfway through after winning both the long jump and 400 meters.
Team USA’s Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo ran the top time of the first round of the men’s 5000 meters with a personal-best 13:19.54. No American advanced past the qualification round of the men’s hammer throw, with Poland’s Wojciech Nowicki recording to the best mark in qualification. Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago had easily the best throw in the preliminary round of the men’s javelin with a toss of 88.68 meters.
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The only qualifying event in the women’s competition was the first round of the 800 meters. Canada’s Melissa Bishop recorded the best time of the round, while Americans Ajee Wilson and Kate Grace advanced to the semifinals.