With still five days remaining, the United States has shined brightly at the Paris Olympics with a total of 86 medals, 26 more than second-place China, In particular, it’s been a memorable Games so far for our track & field athletes, who have racked up 14 medals, including five golds.
On behalf of us here at Bay State Running, we’d like personally congratulate one of those medalists, former Williston Northampton School and Harvard great Gabby Thomas. In what’s been adequately billed as an historic day for Team USA on Tuesday at the Stade de Paris, she earned one of two gold medals with her dominating performance in the 200-meter dash. A victory was never in doubt for Thomas, who was masterfully in control coming around the final curve and powered her way though the line with a winning time of 21.83 seconds. She was joined on the podium by fellow teammate Brittany Brown, who secured the bronze with a time of 22.20.
Not to be ignored, the Americans pulled off a stunner in the men’s 1,500m, too. Cole Hocker upset the field with an Olympic record and three-second best of 3:27.65. With a bronze from a hard-charging Yared Nuguse (3:27.80), Team USA finished 1-3 in the 1,500m for the first time since 1912.
It was quite a day. Quite a day, indeed.
Congratulations to all, particularly our celebrated Northampton native. Well done! You rock, Gabby!
