200 metres, Women

American Allyson Felix had won the World Championships at 200 metres in 2005, 2007, and 2009, but at her two Olympic appearances, she had placed second behind Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown. VCB was back and at the 2011 Worlds, she had defeated Felix, who placed third in Daegu. Also considered contenders for medals were VCB’s teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, already the Olympic 100 gold medalist in London, and Felix’s teammate, Carmelita Jeter, runner-up in the 200 at the 2011 Worlds, and runner-up to Fraser-Pryce in the 100 four days earlier. Another long shot for a medal was Sanya Richards-Ross, more highly considered as a 400 runner, and the London 400 gold medalist three days before this final.

In the end form would hold as it would come down to those five placing 1-5, with Felix finally getting her Olympic gold medal. She started fast, closing the stagger on her outer lane by 75 metres, Ivorian sprinter Murielle Ahouré, and led at the 100, narrowly ahead of Jeter. But on the final straight, her form was perfect and she floated to the line, simply increasing her lead over the final metres to win by 0.21 over Fraser-Pryce, with Jeter winning bronze. VCB was out of the medals this time, with Richards-Ross in fifth. Felix would eventually win three gold medals in London, adding golds in both relay events.