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Blowing away the field with a blistering sprint in the final straight, Shaunae Miller-Uibo completed a Bahamian sweep of the Olympic 400m titles at the Tokyo Games and won her second consecutive gold in the one-lap event.
Miller-Uibo crossed the line in an area record of 48.36 on Friday (6), becoming only the second woman to win back-to-back Olympic golds in the 400m and the first since France’s Marie-Jose Perec in 1992-1996.
“I am so happy right now I could cry,” the 27-year-old Miller-Uibo said. “I’ve been dealing with a whole lot of injuries and to be able to pull this one off is amazing. To be able to pull off matching gold medals, and to get an area record as well, I am so thankful.”
Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic took the silver medal in a national record 49.20. USA legend Allyson Felix earned the bronze in 49.46, bringing her career total to 10 Olympic medals to become the most decorated woman in Olympic athletics history. In fourth was Jamaica’s Stephenie Ann McPherson, her time of 49.61 bringing her home one place ahead of her compatriot Candice McLeod (49.87).
Miller-Uibo’s victory came 24 hours after Steven Gardiner took gold in the men’s 400m to become the first man from the Bahamas to win an individual Olympic gold in any sport. Now the two can share the distinction of owning the Olympic titles together.
Miller-Uibo said at the start of the year that she was focusing on the 200m and would likely not run the 400m in Tokyo. She only recently decided to defend her Olympic title and compete in both events. She finished eighth in the 200m final on Tuesday.
“I just had to go through a whole lot of things,” Miller-Uibo said of her disappointing performance in the shorter distance. “To put it out of my mind, that it was okay. So I came out and was able to not focus on the time but to pull off another gold medal run. The best thing is I have another gold medal right now.”
SOURCE: WORLD ATHLETICS
