The last time everyone saw Shaunae Miller-Uibo on the Olympic stage, the sprinter from the Bahamas crossed the finish line.
Published: July 31, 2021 21:03 |
Last updated: July 31, 2021 9:03 PM
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Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas, looks at the scoreboard after winning silver in the women’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar. (File Photo | AP)
TOKYO: The scratches on the knees, stomach and forearms have long healed. The price for the 400 meter gold medal is well worth it.
The last time everyone saw Shaunae Miller-Uibo on the Olympic stage, the sprinter from the Bahamas popped the finish line.
Tried in Tokyo them to make a name for themselves in a different way – with the possibility of a difficult double. Miller-Uibo chases after the 200 gold and defends – depending on how she feels – her 400 crown. That would mean four races over two days, including the first run over the 400 meters and the last 200 run every 12 hours on Tuesday.
What is a bit of a pain for gold, right? At least she flew over the line with her arms outstretched to displace Allyson Felix in Rio by 0.07 seconds.
« But it was all worth it, » Miller-Uibo told The Associated Press. « I wouldn’t trade those moments or the pain that came with them for the world. »
Stumbling across the line, Miller-Uibo claimed, was not on purpose. She was just so exhausted and after about 50 meters « my engine lights came on, » she explained.
« I couldn’t really feel my legs anymore, » Miller-Uibo added. “I just remember wanting it so badly that I started leaning against the line early. I felt my legs go under me and next lay on the ground with a win. ”
The success of Miller-Uibo that day was a hard blow for Felix in a difficult 2016 Olympic season. The International Olympic Committee had arranged the route plan so that this year she had the opportunity to run the 200-400 double without overlapping. But Felix did not qualify in the shorter race and was satisfied with silver in the 400.
The 200s remain the priority, simply because it is their first race on the schedule. She has the first round and the semi-finals on Monday.
The difficult day will be Tuesday, with the first round of the 400 at 9:45 am local time and the 200 final – she’s a favorite – at 9:50 pm O’clock.
The most memorable 200-400 double was made by Michael Johnson, who put on quite a show winning both races at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
There have been a couple of tries on the women’s side . Olympic historian Bill Mallon said one of the most notable attempts was by Cathy Freeman, the Australian sprinter who won the 400 meters at the 2000 Sydney Games and made it to the final of 200 – in sixth place.
Miller-Uibo is not that only member of her family who seeks gold in Tokyo. There is also her husband, the Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo. The two met as freshmen at the University of Georgia when they had a few courses together. They also trained at the same time.
« We would always see each other, » said Miller-Uibo. « We became really good friends and the story goes on from then on. »
At the 2019 World Championships in Doha, it was silver for the couple. They hope for an upgrade in Tokyo.
Miller-Uibo finished second in the 400cc class that night in Doha behind the sprinter from Bahrain, Salwa Eid Naser, who won in 48.14 seconds – the fastest time since 1985.
The 200 meter field is stacked. At the top of the list is Gabby Thomas, the Harvard graduate who at 21.61 became the second fastest woman of all time behind the late Florence Griffith Joyner (21.34). There is also the Jamaican trio Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and the reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.
The 400 is also invited, where 35-year-old Felix, who is qualifying for her fifth Olympic qualification Has. Felix finished second behind Quanera Hayes in the US trials. The other top candidate is Stephenie-Ann McPherson from Jamaica.
Miller-Uibo has the best time in the world this season with 49.08, which she ran in April.
One thing is certain: She will be on the track be easy to spot. She likes to mix her hair color.
“Growing up I’ve always had a thing for color and I’ve always loved seeing women be brave and rock any color they wanted without caring about it how others think about it, ”said Miller-Uibo. “One of these women (is) my mother. Every time she did her hair, she streaked a line of color and it always put a smile on my face. I couldn’t wait until I reached the age of doing the same with my hair and now it’s part of me. ”
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