Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson confirmed her status as the new sprint queen of the world by capturing the women’s 200m in season’s best 21.78 (-0.1) seconds here at the Olympic Stadium last night.

The 24-year-old Thompson became the first Jamaican woman to win the 100m and 200m gold at the Olympics and the first person since American Florence Griffiths-Joyner did so 28 years ago at the 1988 Seoul Games in South Korea.

“I mean, honestly, it’s a rough 200m, because I haven’t run many 200 for the season. So to come here and claim another gold is a marvellous feeling,” said Thompson.

Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands had to settle for the silver in 21.88secs, while American Tori Bowie, who finished second in the 100m final on Saturday, collected the bronze medal in 22.15secs.

It was sweet revenge for Thompson, who lost to Schippers at last year’s World Championships in Beijing in 21.63secs. Thompson was drawn in lane six, with Schippers in lane four, and Bowie in lane five, and the Jamaican express executed her race plan perfectly.

She left the blocks like a bullet and led narrowly, with the powerful Dutchwoman in pursuit as expected. But Thompson found another gear and held on for an impressive victory despite a desperate lunge to the line by Schippers.

“My plan was to get off the corner as fast as I can and execute from there, and I think I did well tonight. Another gold medal on my map, it’s a very happy feeling. I am speechless right now,” said Thompson, still breathing heavily and sweating profusely.

Immediately after crossing the finish line Thompson sat on the light blue chevron and anxiously examined the replays on the giant television screen for confirmation of victory. She wore a concerned look on her face but that changed quickly when she got confirmation of her historic triumph.

Thompson sprang to her feet, before once again slumping to the turf as the reality of the occasion overwhelmed her.

Just two years on the international scene, Thompson, from Banana Ground in Manchester, had done what no other Jamaican female sprinter had done since this great nation first entered the Olympic Games in 1948.

“I think I have worked well with my coach, Stephen Francis, because he knows that I could do it, and I know I could d o it as well. He said I just have to keep my knees up and swing through the line; that’s why I came out with a gold tonight.”

Thompson’s second gold was Jamaica’s fourth to add to Usain Bolt’s 100m and Omar McLeod’s 110m hurdles. With a population of just under three million, Jamaica have so far garnered six medals, including bronze medals by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100m, and Shericka Jackson in the 400m.

Jamaica are third in the athletics medals table behind the USA with 19 medals, inclusive of five gold, seven silver and seven bronze. Kenya are second with seven medals consisting of four gold and three silver.

Meanwhile, Schippers, who was considered the race favourite in many quarters, was left dissatisfied with the result.

She was left devastated by the result.

“I came for the gold, I’m not happy with the silver,” Schippers told the press. “I was in better form, and at the moment it’s less than before.

“My time’s okay, but not strong enough. It’s tough to run six races (in both 100 and 200m). I was getting closer and closer to her, and felt I was nearly passing her, but broke down,” Schippers lamented.