Gonezie Marie Josée Dominique Ta Lou-Smith is an Ivorian sprinter competing in the 100 metres and 200 m. She finished fourth in the 100 metres and 200 metres finals at the 2016 Olympic Games, missing out on a medal in the 100m by seven-thousandths of a second (0.007). She then won silver medals in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the 2017 World Championships, the latter in the national record time of 22.08 seconds. Her 100 metres best is 10.72 seconds (2022), thus making her the African record holder.
Ta Lou at the 2016 Olympics
Ta Lou with her 200 m silver medal at the 2017 World Athletics Championships
The 100 metres, or 100-meter dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, the 100-meter (109.36 yd) dash is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896 for men and since 1928 for women. The inaugural World Championships were in 1983.
Start of the men's 100 metres final at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Start (green) and end (red) points of a 100 metre race, marked on a running track
Male sprinters await the starter's instructions
Usain Bolt breaking the world and Olympic records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics