Andre de Grasse said he had shocked the world after storming to victory in the Olympic 200 metres final on Wednesday as the United States’ 17-year sprinting gold medal drought continued. Canadian star de Grasse completed a long road back from injury and illness to win gold in 19.62sec, with the USA’s Kenny Bednarek taking silver in 19.68sec and world 200m champion Noah Lyles the bronze in 19.74sec. 

The victory came five years after de Grasse announced his arrival among the elite of international sprinting with a silver medal in the 200m behind Usain Bolt at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. “I want everyone to know that I shocked the world,” said de Grasse, who also took silver in the 200m behind Lyles at the 2019 world championships.