AFTER HER DISMAL 100 on day 1, Sha’Carri Richardson opted to pull out of the 200. Not that Brittany Brown was worried. The OT runner-up and OG bronze medalist has been sharp and consistent this season, following Paris with a win in Rome. Here she lined up in 7, with Britain’s Darryl Neita inside in 6, Tamara Clark in 5, and on her right, ’21 Olympian Anavia Battle.
At the start, Brown produced a solid getaway and by mid-turn she sported a clear lead. Her closest challenger, Neita ran a step ahead of Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith in 4. On the straight Neita drew closer to Brown, but in the last 30m Brown lengthened her stride and built a solid gap, taking the win in 22.20. Neita held 2nd in 22.45, and Battle closed fast to catch Ta Lou-Smith with her 22.61. Fourth initially with her 22.81, the Ivoirian had a few steps over the white line coming off the turn and was DQed.
Said Brown, “I knew I was able to win and that I could finish strong. So that’s what I did today. The cold wasn’t easy, but I had a good warmup and a solid race.”
Neita wasn’t disappointed: “Of course I wanted the win, but I had Brittany Brown in the race and I know she is in great form. She got a medal in Paris so I knew it was gonna be a good race in the homestraight.”
Battle, a rookie on the DL circuit, said, “This summer was very different for me. I’ve learned not to put so much pressure on myself and just enjoy. At the end of the day I just love running, so I have to get out of my own way and do what I love doing.”
Results (+0.2)
1. Brittany Brown (US) 22.20; 2. Neita 22.45; 3. Anavia Battle (US) 22.61; 4. Tasa Jiya (Neth) 22.95; 5. Tamara Clark (US) 23.01; 6. Amy Hunt (GB) 23.09;… dq—Ta Lou-Smith.
Non-DL 200(+0.1)
1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (US) 22.40; 2. Gina Bass (Gam) 23.01; 3. Delphine Nkansa (Bel) 23.03.
