The 30-year-old from California was left distraught after a last-gasp lunge by Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas denied her gold in a thrilling women’s 400m final.
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No, that’s no error.
It took a dramatic dive by Shaunae Miller of Bahamas at the finish line to win the women’s 400-meter final, preventing American Allyson Felix from capturing a record fifth Olympic gold medal. Felix finished second in 49.51 while Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson took bronze with a time of 49.85.
“I could have been a bit more aggressive”, she said, talking about the first part of the race. “I just tried to give all I had”, Felix said.
Despite the controversy, an emotional Miller was clearly overwhelmed with her win. She failed to qualify for the 200 at the U.S. Olympic trials, and was nipped here for the Olympic 400 title.
Instead, Felix was simply trying to do her best to smile through the pain of the stinging loss.
The Californian’s silver medal was, though, her seventh in four Games, the most of any American female track and field athlete at the Olympics.
The youngster claimed that her instincts kicked in as she dived for victory and her first Olympic medal. In what will become Olympic legend, Miller dove across the finish line to snatch the gold from the grasp of Felix. At that point Miller threw herself over the line as Felix closed in. I’ve got a few cuts and bruises but I’m okay. “It’s deeply disappointing. I’m a competitor”.
Felix, who won silver in the race, told Reuters she was disappointed to have missed out on the gold for the 400-meter. “I didn’t really have too many thoughts on it”. She has also won three relay golds and could add to that tally in Brazil.
Former 200M and 400M Olympic Champion Michael Johnson chimed in as well.
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This diving debate will likely continue through these Olympics and beyond.
