Tokyo (AFP)

The Canadian Andre de Grasse, Olympic vice-champion in 2016, succeeded the 200m list of Jamaican Usain Bolt with a time of 19 sec 62, Wednesday at the Tokyo Games.

De Grasse edged Americans Kenneth Bednarek (19.68) and Noah Lyles (19.74).

Their compatriot Erriyon Knighton, only 17 years old, finished at the foot of the podium (19.93).

After four untitled Olympic medals, de Grasse ended up winning in the most beautiful setting and at his best distance.

After the bronze in the 100 and 4x100 m in 2016, embellished with the silver in the 200 m, then the bronze in the 100 m again on Sunday in Tokyo, de Grasse left the race of his life in 19 sec 62 (wind of -0, 5 m / s), becoming the eighth all-time performer in the distance, to adorn himself with gold at 26 years old.

It is thanks to his end of the race, his strength, that he was able to dominate his competitors and in particular the American Bednarek who shone for his very first international final at 22 years old.

Favorite before these Games, world champion Noah Lyles (24) has never seemed able to win and will have to settle for bronze, his first podium for his first Olympics.

The sensation almost came from the young Erriyon Knighton, not yet of age, but already at the foot of the Olympic podium on the half-lap.

The Floridian this season broke the cadet and junior world records of Usain Bolt, reigning three-time Olympic champion in the distance retired since 2017.

Well ahead of the Jamaican at the same age, Knighton is following in his footsteps but will have to wait to experience the joy of a first Olympic podium.

© 2021 AFP