200 Meter
Video
Recap
LYLES AND JACKSON IN WORLD CHAMPION STYLE
«I promise you, if you give us our best, we will give our best to you,» Noah Lyles (USA) had said prior to his race at Weltklasse Zürich to the crowd. The sprint star and artist needs a stage to perform. As in 2019, when he actually returned to the arena to treat the crowd to a rap song after winning his race. This time, the two-time 200m world champion focused on the track, however. In 19.52, he erased the meeting record (19.66) set by a certain Usain Bolt (JAM) in 2012.
Shericka Jackson lived up to her role as a favourite in the women’s race. The Jamaican repeated what had worked in Eugene: After coming in second in the 100m, she outperformed all other finalists in the race. In 21.80, she was the only woman to break the 22-second barrier. Switzerland’s European champion Mujinga Kambundji (22.65) placed fifth and thanked fans for the “incredible support” they provided to her and all other athletes.
Preview
WORLD VS EUROPEAN CHAMPION
Shericka Jackson (28) is one of the world’s fastest sprinters. The Jamaican star has collected medals in the 100m, the 200m and the 400m. Today, she is on the hunt for a Diamond Trophy in both sprint finals. After claiming the 200m title in Eugene, she is lining up against new 200m European champion Mujinga Kambundji (30). Switzerland’s sprint queen did not need a wildcard to compete at Letzigrund Stadium today. She qualified by collecting points at Diamond League meetings. Her race is a very fitting end to an exciting athletics year, in which she managed to win the world indoor title in the 60m and European championship gold in the 200m, as well as a European championship silver medal in the 100m.
Showman Lyles returns to the big stage
In 2019, he had taken to the stage at Letzigrund Stadium twice – to win his race and then to perform the song “Souvenir” together with Sandi Morris during the closing show. This year, Noah Lyles (25) defended his world championship title in Eugene, clocking 19.23 – a world leading time, a new national record and the third-fastest 200m of all times. He considers himself an artist and a rapper. Who could outrun the youngest Diamond Trophy winner ever? Lyle was only 20 years old when he won his first diamond in 2017.
Stats
Olympic Champion: Elaine THOMPSON-HERAH (JAM) 21.53
World Champion: Shericka JACKSON (JAM) 21.45
European Champion: Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) 22.32
World Lead: Shericka JACKSON (JAM) 21.45
Olympic Champion: Andre DE GRASSE (CAN) 19.62
World Champion: Noah LYLES (USA) 19.31
European Champion: Zharnel HUGHES (GBR) 20.07
World Lead: Noah LYLES (USA) 19.31
