By Sulayman Bah
Gambia’s Gina Bass will today be looking to steal the show to reach the finals of the 200m.
The track sensation qualified for the semis yesterday after coming third yesterday in the Heats booking her ticket to the semi-finals today.
The Tambacounda-born clocked a 22.67 seconds behind Tajana Pinto of Germany and Heat-topping Aminatou Seyni who attained a 22.58 national record.
In today’s race, the Smiling Coast’s police-officer-turned star athlete faces Great Britain’s 23-year-old Dina Asher-Smith who has eight first wins to her name, a silver and two bronze finishes.
There is also Bahamas’ Anthonique Strachan, a ten-time gold medallist who would be one of Gina’s strongest opponents including 26-year-old Dezerea Bryant boasting five gold , three bronze medals and with the best timing amongst all seven athletes in Gina’s heat.
Expectations are rife the American could pull off an upset but bookmakers are reluctant to be drawn to making conclusions.
Earlier, Gambia’s Bass was left a bit shaken after nemesis Marie Josee Ta Lou topped the heat they both competed in, earning the Ivorian automatic qualification and an eventual third place in the 100m finals.
Gina has strongly noted 100m is not her strongest point and will be out to rectify that blip when she takes to the tracks in her favourite 200m dash today.
