Bahamian athlete Shaunae Miller showed the world just how determined she was to win a gold medal with her stunning performance in the Women’s 400m final which saw her “dive” over the finish line.
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However, Felix barreled her way through and came head to head with Miller. Felix most likely would’ve won the race had Miller not dove for the finish line. Yet she had a bad start, while Miller, the silver medalist in this event a year ago in the world championships, took off from the outside and created a lot of catching up to do.
Despite not nabbing her fifth Olympic gold medal, Felix said she left the race proud of her effort.
A longtime 200-meter specialist, Felix fell short of qualifying for the US team in that event and will be unable to defend the gold she won in London four years ago.
But Felix closed the gap on her rival and the two approached the finish line neck-and-neck. The 30-year-old American entered the games as one of six women with four Olympic gold medals in track and field. “It happens every now and then but it’s not too common”, she said.
American hurdler Ryan Wilson made another important point about Shaunae Miller’s win. My mind just went blank. I feel emotionally and physically drained at this moment.
The official 2016 Olympic track and field rules state that the victor of a race is the athlete who is first to have any part of his or her torso cross the finish line. “I didn’t have more to give”.
Some have called Miller’s dive unfair while others think Felix was stripped of her chance at a Olympic gold.
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It’s settled: Shaunae Miller’s finishing dive that earned her the gold medal during Monday’s 400-meter race at the Rio Olympics was legal.
