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Athing Mu wins the women’s 800m in her Olympic debut, Thompson-Herah gets the double-double

Both women dominated their races, setting U.S. and Jamaican national records

In one of the most anticipated finals of the Olympic Games, it was Athing Mu who came out on top, to no one’s surprise, in the women’s 800m. The 19-year-old was the gold medal favourite in the event and she delivered, running 1:55.21 to set a new U.S. record, the ninth-fastest time in history. Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah won the women’s 200m gold medal in a new national record, her fifth Olympic Gold medal, and her second gold of this Games after storming to victory in the 100m.

RELATED: Jamaican women sweep 100m podium, set Olympic record

Mu took the lead right out of the gate and held it for the entire race. Running through the first lap in 57 seconds, there was a pack of four runners vying for the silver medal position coming down the back stretch, with the U.K.’s Jemma Reekie making a strong push for second around the final turn. It was her fellow Briton and the other 19-year-old in the race, Keely Hodgkinson who overtook her in the final 50 metres for the silver medal, setting a U.K. record in 1:55.88. U.S. runner Raevyn Rodgers came from the back of the pack with a brilliant kick for third in a personal best 1:56.81, while Reekie ended up fourth, also in a personal best 1:56.90.

Women’s 200m final

Thompson-Herah won her second gold medal of these Olympic Games in the women’s 200m, completing the coveted sprint double-double after winning both the 100m and 200m in Rio and now again in Tokyo. She dominated the field throughout the entire 200 metres, crossing the line in a new Jamaican record of 21.53. Namibia’s Christine Mboma came second and set a new world under 20 record of 21.81, and American sprinter Gabby Thomas rounded out the podium in 21.87. Jamaica’s other sprinting star, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price, ended up in fourth in 21.94.

RELATED: Karsten Warholm smashes 400m hurdles world record, wins gold in Tokyo

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