Diving in: Miller-Uibo will run 200, may defend 400 title – Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) The scrapes on her knee, stomach and forearms have long since healed. Well worth the price for that 400-meter gold medal.

The last time everyone saw Shaunae Miller-Uibo on the Olympic stage, the sprinter from the Bahamas was diving across the finish line.

It was a memorable moment from Rio.

In Tokyo, shes trying to make her mark in another way with the possibility of a difficult double. Miller-Uibo is chasing after the 200 gold and depending on how shes feeling defending her 400 crown. That would require four races spread over two days, including the first round of the 400 meters and the 200 final 12 hours apart on Tuesday.

Thats a lot of work. But shes game.

Whats a little pain for gold, right? After all, she flew over the line with her arms spread out to edge Allyson Felix by 0.07 seconds in Rio.

Miller-Uibo felt those aches for days and days after the race.

But it was all worth it, Miller-Uibo told The Associated Press. I wouldnt trade those moments nor the aches and pains that came with it for the world.

That stumble across the line, Miller-Uibo maintained, wasnt on purpose. She was just so exhausted and with about 50 meters left, my engine lights went on, she explained.

I couldnt really feel my legs anymore, Miller-Uibo added. I just remember wanting it so bad that I started leaning early for the line. I felt my legs go from under me and next being on the ground with a win to my name.

Miller-Uibos success that day was a tough blow over a difficult 2016 Olympic season for Felix. The International Olympic Committee had arranged the track schedule to give her an opportunity to run the 200-400 double that year without any overlap. But Felix didnt qualify in the shorter race, then settled for silver in the 400.

Miller-Uibo didnt receive that sort of treatment for her endeavor. Shes giving it a go.

Thats the plan as of now, anyway. It could change depending on fatigue.

The 200 remains the priority, simply because its her first race on the schedule. She has the first round and the semis on Monday.

The difficult day will be Tuesday, with round one of the 400 at 9:45 a.m. local time and the 200 final shes among the favorites at 9:50 p.m.

Im feeling great, 27-year-old Miller-Uibo said.

The most memorable 200-400 double was turned in by Michael Johnson, who put on quite a show while winning both races at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

On the womens side, its been attempted a few times. Olympic historian Bill Mallon said one of the more notable tries was from Cathy Freeman, the Australian sprinter who won the the 400 meters and made the final of the 200 taking sixth at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Miller-Uibos not the only member of her family going for gold in Tokyo. Theres also her husband, Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo. The two met as freshmen at the University of Georgia when they had a few classes together. They also trained at the same time.

We would always see each other, Miller-Uibo said. We became really good friends and the story goes on from there.

It was a silver showing for the couple at the 2019 world championships in Doha. They are hoping to upgrade in Tokyo.

Miller-Uibo finished runner-up in the 400 that night in Doha behind Bahrain sprinter Salwa Eid Naser, who won in a time of 48.14 seconds the fastest time since 1985.

Naser wont be in Tokyo.

She recently had a two-year ban upheld following three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period.

The 200-meter field is stacked. Heading the list is Gabby Thomas, the Harvard grad who went 21.61 to become the second-fastest woman ever behind the late Florence Griffith Joyner (21.34). Theres also the Jamaican trio of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Thats only a few.

Just as loaded is the 400, where theres the 35-year-old Felix, who qualified for her fifth Olympics. Felix was second at the U.S. trials behind Quanera Hayes. The other top contender is Stephenie-Ann McPherson of Jamaica.

Miller-Uibo has the top time in the world this season at 49.08, which she ran in April.

One things for sure: She will be easy to spot on the track. She likes to mix up her hair color.

Growing up Ive always had a love for colors, and I always loved seeing women be bold and rock whatever color they wanted while not caring about how others felt about it, Miller-Uibo said. One of those women (is) my mom. Every time she did her hair she would put a streak of color through it and it always put a smile on my face. I couldnt wait until I got to the age to do the same with my hair and now its a part of who I am.

Any particular color choice in Tokyo?

Just expect a variety, Miller-Uibo said.

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Diving in: Miller-Uibo will run 200, may defend 400 title - Associated Press