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The Women's 200 metres at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Daegu Stadium on September 2 and 3.
Contents
The defending three time world champion Allyson Felix and reigning two time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown were the principal contenders, although both were aiming for sprint doubles of 200/400 m and 100/200 m, respectively. Shalonda Solomon was the world-leader before the championships with her run of 22.15 seconds which made her the 2011 US champion. Other contenders included Carmelita Jeter, who was second in the rankings, and Jeneba Tarmoh (the fourth American runner) who was ranked fifth.
The results of the three semi finals placed three Jamaicans and three Southern California athletes as the automatic qualifiers. Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Hrystyna Stuy were the time qualifiers.
In the final, Campbell-Brown burst out of the blocks, making up the stagger on Solomon to her outside. Campbell-Brown had a sizable lead with the inexperienced (at this distance) Jeter the only one to make a serious run at her, but this race being double her normal distance, Jeter couldn't hold it and started to fall back awkwardly. Defending champion Felix, who looked sluggish throughout the season, closed fast to challenge Jeter near the line.
Records
Prior to the competition, the records were as follows:
Heats
Qualification: First 4 in each heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) advance to the semifinals.
Wind:
Heat 1: -0.1 m/s, Heat 2: -0.5 m/s, Heat 3: -0.3 m/s, Heat 4: +0.3 m/s, Heat 5: -0.2 m/s
Semifinals
Qualification: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) advance to the final.
Wind:
Heat 1: -0.7 m/s, Heat 2: -0.1 m/s, Heat 3: -1.8 m/s
Final
Wind: -1.0 m/s