“I ran angry. It is not difficult. I just ran. I just wanted to qualify. The coach and I are taking each round at a time. I know I am in great shape. I’m just angry from yesterday. That’s all I can say,” British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith had said after cruising through the 200m heat, referring to missing out on the 100m final the night before. So did that anger affect her behavior toward her fellow runners during the 200m semifinal?

Asher-Smith finished the race, on Monday evening clocking 22.31 seconds securing her finals spot. But she couldn’t keep up with the USA’s Gabby Thomas, boasting a 200m world-leading time of 21.78 seconds from the U.S. track and field trials. Thomas was initially behind at the curve. But she managed to pass Asher-Smith on the path with a time of 21.86 seconds. The event brought some moments catching the attention of viewers, on X who were quick to discuss the aspects of the competition!

After Gabby Thomas clinched victory in the 200-meter semifinal, Jamie Frier, a user on X, captured an intriguing moment between the athletes. As Thomas celebrated her win, she appeared to touch Asher-Smith’s shoulder in a gesture of appreciation. Within moments Thomas broke into a broad smile, radiating pride in her accomplishment. The post, though, sparked speculation with the caption, “Um… Was that a ‘Shut up’ from Dina Asher-Smith to Gabby Thomas there? Would be a surprise, no?” But what might have prompted this?

The situation was not easy for Dina, coming from a shocking defeat in 100m. The 28-year-old, who had been reduced to tears after missing the 100-meter final on Saturday, knew she needed a top-two finish in the second semi-final to stay in contention for her first individual Olympic medal while making an Olympic sprint podium since Dorothy Hyman in 1960. Her statement after the heats might also bear a clue.

“I am not feeling better, emotionally,” Dina had said. That emotional instability might have something to do with such a behavior. Dina Asher-Smith clocked 10.91 seconds in the 100 meters. But unfortunately, it did not earn her a place in the final. However, despite the emotional turmoil, she emphasized that her physical condition was excellent, making the run feel almost effortless. She highlighted the need to stay focused and calm, even while carrying the emotional weight of her earlier setback.

• UPDATE: Gabby Thomas (21.83) wins 200m gold while Dina Asher-Smith narrowly missed the podium while securing fourth place. Julien Alfred (22.08) secured silver, while Gabby’s teammate Brittany Brown (22.20) bagged the bronze. In a four-way photo finish, Dina remained two-hundredths of a second away from the bronze medal. Had Dina run even close to the 22.07sec she ran in London just last month, she could have ­pushed Julien Alfred for the silver medal.

In the final Dina was fast enough in the bend while maintaining her first place after 50m, but Gabby pushed hard as they returned to the straight track, and surged ahead of Dina who had already started to strain to chase the former. From that point, the race started to go out of her hands. Next, it was Dina’s training partner, Alfred, who overtook her with 50m to go. Finally, with only 10m left, Brown got past her too.

However, shedding off her angry self, Dina was found smiling after the race as she shook hands with the winners. “I was told to get out and just keep going and if you die, you die,” Dina said later, while also mentioning that she was proud of her performance. But does the way Dina lost, indicates a pattern?

Dina’s loss to Gabby Thomas brings back memories of London Diamond League

It all started at the 2024 London Diamond League when Gabby Thomas secured a win in the women’s 200m. On that occasion also Gabby trailed initially as Dina Asher-Smith surged ahead, seemingly on her way to victory. In a striking similarity to the Paris Olympics race, a great bend put Nita into the lead.

But on the straight track, the 2019 world champion was first overtaken by Julien Alfred. Gabby, although started slow in the bend, came from behind with a blistering speed in the final meters top overtake both Dina and Alfred, crossing the line in 21.82 seconds—a new meet record and the second-fastest time of the season. Julien Alfred, the runner-up put up 21.86 seconds while Asher-Smith crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 22.07 seconds.

It seems that the London meet had set the tone for Gabby’s journey to Paris. And Gabby, in an evident display of confidence, had said, “I feel really good. It’s made me feel confident going into the Paris Games after that one.” Indeed, that race help Gabby to tie some loose ends. “I am glad I did this. I definitely fine-tuned some things. Running in a headband is really difficult for me just being a tall, lean runner, so I had to really make up for it on the backstretch,” Gabby had explained.

While Gabby Thomas once again established her dominance in 200m, this might come as a hard truth for Dina, considering her age. Dina is 28, and there will definitely be a question mark on her participation in the next games. If we look at this year’s games, athletes in their thirties or approaching thirties like Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah have pulled off from the races. Considering these, this year was probably the best chance for Dina to aim for the podium. Has she missed it forever?