Tokyo 2020 - Elaine Thompson-Herah wins historic Olympic sprint 'double-double' with incredible 200m victory

ByRichard Newman

Updated 03/08/2021 at 17:14 GMT

Thompson-Herah became the first woman ever to win back-to-back Olympic 100m and 200m gold medals, running the second fastest time ever in 21.53 seconds. Namibia's Christine Mboma set a new world under-20 record to win silver ahead of American Gabby Thomas. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.

Elaine Thompson-Herah made Olympic history by becoming the first woman ever to win both the 100m and 200m titles at successive Games, running the second fastest 200m time ever in the Tokyo 2020 final.

The Jamaican is now the quickest woman alive in both sprint distances, slower only than American great Florence Griffith-Joyner, following her time of 21.53 seconds - a new national record.

Eighteen-year-old Namibian Christine Mboma, who only ran the distance because naturally high testosterone levels means she cannot compete in her favoured 400m, took silver with a new world under-20 record, with American Gabby Thomas getting bronze.

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But Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could only finish fourth.

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Thompson-Herah was rapid out of the blocks and had a clear lead heading into the final straight, and while the rest of the field faded with 40m to go, the 29-year-old raced clear.

Fraser-Pryce was in the silver medal position with around 90m left but she was one of a number of athletes to fade, as Mboma came from sixth place with around 70m to race to bomb through the rest of the field and take second place on the podium.

"I guess I'm an Olympic baby!" Thompson-Herah told Eurosport after the race.

"For the last five years I've been up and down with this injury but I still have my composure, put in the work to come out here and claim my title I'm happy for that."

Thompson-Herah has constantly struggled with an Achilles injury since before the 2019 World Championships in Doha and her form looked sketchy heading into the Games, but she has peaked at just the right time in Tokyo. She could yet finish the Olympics with three golds, as she is likely to go in the 4x100m relay.

Second fastest time in history! Wild celebrations as Thompson-Herah storms to 100m glory

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