It is not in the 100m that Andre De Grasse will have the opportunity to add to his large collection of medals. His time in the semi-final was insufficient to qualify for the final of the Paris Olympic Games.
The Torontonian finished his race at 9.95 s, two hundredths of a second away from reaching the final, and at 5e rank of his semi-final. Jamaican Kishane Thompson had the best time in this phase, with 9.80 s.
De Grasse had an excellent start, moving into second place after about twenty metres. However, his acceleration was insufficient to maintain his position.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Andre De Grasse completed his race at 9.95 s, two hundredths of a second away from reaching the final, and at 5e rank of his semi-final. Jamaican Kishane Thompson had the best time in this phase, with 9.80 s.
It was still his first race under the 10s mark since 2021. He completed his best race of the season over this distance in Turku, Finland, on June 18. He crossed the finish line after exactly 10.00s.
De Grasse was trying to win 100m medals in three consecutive Olympic Games. Only Usain Bolt has managed to accomplish that feat in the last 128 years.
Andre De Grasse has won six Olympic medals in his career. Three in Tokyo (bronze in the 100m, silver in the 4x100m and gold in the 200m) and three in Rio (bronze in the 100 and 4x100m, silver in the 200m).
De Grasse will have a chance to bounce back on Monday when he attempts to qualify for the 200m semi-finals.
End of the course
Quebecer Charles Philibert-Thiboutot was also eliminated from the 1500m final at his last Olympic Games. He can certainly leave Paris with his head held high, since he had the best time of his season in the semi-final, with 3:33.29 s.
PHOTO PHIL NOBLE, REUTERS
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot was unable to qualify for the 1500 metres final
The Quebec native started his race well, positioned in the middle of the pack. But after 500 meters, he hit a wall, unable to keep up the pace. He ultimately finished the event in second-to-last position.
Philibert-Thiboutot finished second in his repechage round, with a time of 3:33.53. The 33-year-old had to go through this process after not being able to get his direct ticket to the semifinals after qualifying.
The former Laval University player missed qualifying for the Tokyo Games by two seconds, after participating in the semi-final of the Rio Games.