Paris Olympics: Ofili in 200m semifinal as injury stops Ta Lou

Team Nigeria’s Favour Ofili has qualified for the 200m semifinals.

Ofili did as the second fastest, running 22.24, a season’s best.

Ofili was bettered only by pre-race favorite, Gabby Thomas of the USA who sped home in 22.20 while 100m champion, Julien Alfred, who is seeking to complete a historic sprint double, ran 22.41 to win her heat.

Four out of the five athletes who have broken 22 seconds this year are through to the semifinals including the world leader at 21.78, Thomas.

Others are McKenzie Long, and Brittany Brown advance to the 200m semifinals, while Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith withdraws due to injury.

Gemima Joseph from France, also delivered a solid performance with a time of 22.72 seconds.

Julia Henriksson from Sweden also secured her place in the next round, setting a new national record with a time of 22.79 seconds.

Long's impressive run of 22.55 seconds demonstrates her readiness to compete against the world’s best.

Jessika Gbai from the Ivory Coast, finishing at 22.61 seconds, and Audrey Leduc from Canada, clocking in at 22.88 seconds, both join Long in advancing to the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Brittany Brown from the United States blazed through her heat, ensuring her spot in the 200m semifinals with a swift time of 22.38 seconds.

Brown’s formidable display on the track highlights her as a serious contender for the finals. Lanae-Tava Thomas from Jamaica also secured her place in the semifinals, clocking in at 22.70 seconds.

Bianca Williams from Great Britain rounded out the top three qualifiers in her heat with a strong performance, finishing with a time of 22.77 seconds.

In a turn of unfortunate events, Ivory Coast’s star sprinter Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith was unable to start her 200m race in heat one due to an injury sustained during the 100m final, and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson also decided to pull out of the 200m due to injury.