In a thrilling finish, Miller looked as though she may lose the lead to American world champ Allyson Felix.
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No, that’s no error.
Former UGA track and field champion Shaunae Miller gave the Summer Olympics one of its most dramatic finishes Monday, throwing herself across the finish line to narrowly win gold in the women’s 400-meter dash.
Felix, 30, had to settle for silver in 49.51, with Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson taking bronze.
“When I was on the ground I didn’t know I’d won, I still don’t know how it happened. I just really wanted it”, Felix said post-race.
Near tears as she met with the media later, Felix said she never thought about lunging like Miller did.
Shaunae Miller stunned everyone by diving across the finish line. She failed to qualify for the 200 at the U.S. Olympic trials, and was nipped here for the Olympic 400 title.
Felix was disappointed with the way the race ended, but was happy with her effort.
Felix becomes the most decorated US female track athlete, with seven medals, including four golds in London and Beijing.
Felix, who could still add to her medal tally in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, would not be drawn on whether she could return for a fifth Olympics in Tokyo.
Shaunae Miller prone on the Rio track after winning her gold medal.
“And I was like, “Not right now, just leave me to catch myself real quick”.
Twitter quickly reacted to Miller’s win.
Despite the disappointment, Felix’s silver medal achievement made her the most decorated female athlete in American track and field history with seven Olympic medals, surpassing Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
“I think (the dive) was just a reaction. I have cuts and bruises, a few burns, but, hey, I got a medal out of it”.
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She has been an Olympic star for a decade, and she had enough pull to get the Games to adjust the schedule so she could attempt a 200-400 double. Felix won the 400 at the world championships previous year and was planning to run the 200- and 400-meter double in Rio, but was hampered by an ankle injury at the USA trials and didn’t make the team for the 200.
