Shaunae Miller from The Bahamas made a dramatic dive to win her gold medal in Women's 400m Olympic Games event on Monday night. Allyson Felix who tied with her from the beginning of race lost by only seven hundredths of a second.
In a neck-to-neck battle between Miller and Felix, the Bahamian runner finally won the gold. She completed the single lap around the track in 49.44 which is her personal best.
In the final race, Miller was in the lane 7 while Felix was in the lane 4. Felix, the 2015 world-champion is a veteran sprinter and is expected to win the gold medal. She is now the most decorated US female track and field athlete.
As the race started, Miller apparently could sense that Felix was closing fast on the inside. With four strides remaining, Miller began to dive toward the finish line. She looked like a baseball player who tries to steal second base in the last inning.
Her effort gave her the gold and denying Felix's hope to win 400m. Felix is competing in her fourth Olympic Games. Felix was the gold medalist in the 200m and silver medalist in 400m in London 2012 Olympic Games. She came to Rio expecting to win both 200m and 400m gold medals.
Social media was full with various reactions on Millers' dive that win her Olympic gold. NBC News reported that Twitter was divided over the ethics of her move.
The photo final decided her action was legal according to the athletic rules. It is because her torso touched the finish line first before Felix.
Miller said that her diving was a reaction after reaching the finish line.
""I think (the dive) was just a reaction, my mind went blank, the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground. I've got a few cuts and bruises but I'm okay. This is the moment I have been waiting for. I am just so happy, so grateful, such emotions I just can't say," she told Reuters.
The 22-year old sprinter can now smile happily after winning her first Olympic gold medal.