Gabby Thomas leads trio of Americans advancing to 200 track final at Paris Olympics

Americans Gabby Thomas, McKenzie Long and Brittany Brown advanced to the women’s 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics.

Thomas, the defending bronze medalist and favorite to win gold this time, blazed through her semifinal heat to win in 21.86. She has the fastest 200 time in the world, 21.78, which she ran June 28 at the U.S. track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Thomas was behind at the curve, but easily overtook Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain on the straightaway. Asher-Smith, who finished in 22.31, also advanced to the finals.

Long, whose story of reaching the Olympics as she navigated the sudden death of her mother has inspired other runners, owns the second fastest 200 time in the world this year at 21.83. She finished third in her heat at 22.30, but qualified for the final on time. Julien Alfred, who won the women's 100 Saturday and earned Saint Lucia's first-ever medal, won Long's heat in 21.98.

A star at Ole Miss, Long won the 100 and 200 NCAA titles in June. Paris is her first Olympics.

It is also the first Olympics for Brown, who won the third and final heat in 22.11.

None of the American sprinters stopped to speak with reporters after their heats.

The women's 200 final is scheduled for Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. ET (9:40 p.m.in Paris) at Stade de France. It is the last event of the day.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gabby Thomas in 200 track final with Long, Brown at Paris Olympics