Shaunae Miller-Uibo grabbed a psychological edge over Olympic champion Elaine Thompson in the Commonwealth Games 200 metres semi-finals on Wednesday as retired sprint legend Usain Bolt settled into his new role as a spectator.
Bahamian Miller-Uibo, who dramatically dived over the line to win Olympic 400m gold at the 2016 Rio Games, swept into the 200m final in 22.95 seconds, nearly half a second ahead of Thompson, easing up behind her.
It sets up an intriguing final on Thursday when Thompson will attempt to win Jamaica’s first non-hurdles sprint title of the Games, following Yohan Blake’s shock defeat in the men’s 100m.
Thompson’s outing came after Aisha Praught had broken Kenya’s stranglehold on the women’s steeplechase, a result that also gave Jamaica its first Commonwealth medal in a race longer than 800m.
American-born Praught caught Kenyan favourite Celliphine Chespol on the final bend to win in 9min 21sec, ending the East African nation’s phenomenal record of sweeping the podium at the last two Games. Chespol took silver and countrywoman Purity Cherotich Kirui bronze.
“I just put in the work every day and believe that I can race anyone,” said Praught. “I knew the Commonwealth Games was what I wanted and I worked towards it every day.”
Her victory came as Jamaica were urged on by Bolt, who arrived for his first championships as a spectator following his retirement last year.
“I always expect Jamaicans to come out and do their best,” said the eight-time Olympic champion. “We are a big track nation so we always expect the best of them at all times.”
However, Stephenie McPherson missed the memo as the defending champion was dethroned in the 400m, finishing third behind Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, who clocked 50.15 ahead of Jamaica’s Anastasia Le-Roy.
