RIO DE JANEIRO – Just when it seemed that a trip to the final of the Olympic women's 400 meters might be in jeopardy for Duck alum Phyllis Francis, the 2016 U.S runner-up found an extra gear coming off the final curve to win her semifinal heat and advance to Monday's Olympic final.
Francis rounded the final turn in fourth place but hit the afterburners down the homestretch to pass Oluwakemi Adekoya of Bahrain, Olha Zemlyak of Ukraine and finally Stephenie Ann McPherson of Jamaica before winning in 50.31. It was the second-fastest 400 meters of Francis' career.