Tokyo 2021: Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou still 4th over 100m at the Olympics
Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou (left) finished fourth in the 100-meter final of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, behind Jamaicans Elaine Thompson-Herah (1st), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2nd) and Shericka Jackson (3rd).
REUTERS - KAI PFAFFENBACH
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 min
The Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou again finished fourth in the 100 meters at the Olympic Games, this July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, five years after finishing at the foot of the podium over this distance and over 200 meters at the Rio Games.
Jamaicans Elaine Thompson-Herah (1st), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2nd) and Shericka Jackson (3rd) dominated this final.
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From our special correspondent in Tokyo,
Another 4th place for Marie-Josée Ta Lou at the Olympic Games… Five years after finishing at the foot of the podium in the 100 and 200 meters in Rio, the Ivorian finished in the same position in the 100 final in Tokyo.
This time, the pocket sprinter approached this race almost in the position of favorite, after her superb lap times in the heats (10 seconds 78, African record equaled) and in the semi-finals (10.79).
But, on the track of the Olympic Stadium, the triple medalist at the Worlds was significantly less efficient, with a time of 10.91.
After a sluggish start, she seemed to be struggling.
She was quickly left behind by the trio of Jamaicans, Elaine Thompson-Herah (1st, 10.61, Olympic record), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2nd, 10.74) and Shericka Jackson (3rd, 10.76).
An Elaine Thompson-Herah who therefore retains her Olympic title.
Incredulous and dejected
The scenario certainly has nothing to do with that of 2016, where Marie-Josée Ta Lou was beaten by 7 thousandths of a second by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for the bronze medal.
Even with her best time, the Ivorian would not have finished on the podium.
However, she remained prostrate on the track for long minutes.
Invited to decipher her race by RFI, the African champion seemed paralyzed by disappointment, invoked a health concern, then burst into tears.
He still has the 200 meters to achieve his dream: to win a medal at the Olympics.
The series begin this July 2 ...
► Tokyo 2021: Calendar of events, results, medal table
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