by Stuart WeirThe 200 meters is one of the most popular events in our sport. And in 2022, the fields were incredible in Doha. Both men and women competed against the finest in the world and both races lived up to the hype.
Stuart put this article together and lets us hear from the winners in both races.
We can not wait to see the sprint fields at Nike Pre Classic in two weeks!
Gabby Thomas took the 200m in Doha (this photo is from the Bermuda Games), photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
Noah Lyles took the Men’s 200m in 19.72 (this picture is from Bermuda Games), photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
A tale of two 200s
There were two high-class 200-meter races in the Doha Diamond League. The conditions were challenging. As Dina Asher-Smith put it “Windy, windy, windy. I am not surprised that the Pole Vault was called off”.
The result was:
1 Gabrielle Thomas 21.98
2 Shericka Jackson 22.07
3 Dina Asher-Smith 22.37
Gabby Thomas was a bronze medallist in Tokyo, Jackson has two individual Olympic bronze medals – at 100 and 400. Dina is the reigning World Champion at 200m. Thomas commented: “I was nervous, but I feel great now. it is such a great feeling to run here with the crowd. It gives me good energy, it is beautiful to be here in Doha”. Dina said: “The race was all right. It’s nice to be here and to be opening in the warm weather. I would’ve loved to have gone a bit faster but at the same time, it’s my first 200m of the year. To race well you have to be race-fit. I have never run in such windy conditions in my life. But it was the same conditions for everyone so it did not mean anything for the race. The results stand but yes, windy, windy, windy. All you do is try to stay relaxed and run your own race. You have to stay relaxed and maintain your form despite what is going on around you. I started the season with a 400, then 300, now a 200 and next week 100 in Birmingham – the full range”.
Gabby Thomas, photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
In the men’s race the order was:
1 Noah Lyles 19.72
2 Fred Kerley 19.75
3 Jereem Richards 20.15
4 Andre de Grasse 20.15
5 Aaron Brown 20.18
Noah Lyles was delighted with his performance: “I think there are a lot of things that I put together today that I’ve been trying to for a while. I felt really good coming into the race everything seemed to be coming naturally. I’m really excited to see what the future holds”. Asked about Fred Kerley being so close behind, he said: To be honest, I didn’t even know he was there until the last second”. Lyles will now race at Pre, NY, and the US champs before preparing for the US Champs which will “mean a lot since I’ve never had a home championship before. It’s going to be exciting”.
Noah Lyles, photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
Andre de GRASSE, also a Tokyo medallist, commented: “Man, it’s windy here, but it was a good race. I feel that I’m getting back in shape. My goal for the world championship is to get a medal. Qatar is amazing with fans, it’s good to be back here”.
Both races looked exciting on-page and neither disappointed.”
