Two steps before she reached the finish line, Sha’Carri Richardson started pounding her chest. She knew she had it won. If anyone doubts that she’s the sprinter to beat at the Paris Olympics this summer, they need to think again.
Richardson’s performance at the U.S. track trials on Saturday, clocking a 10.71-second sprint in the 100 meters, solidified her status as the fastest woman in the world this year. This impressive time not only earned her a spot on the U.S. team but also made her a top contender for the upcoming races in France, where the women’s events kick off on August 2.
Despite not getting off to stellar starts in her races, Richardson dominated each time. In the finals, she finished well ahead of her competitors, leaving training partner Melissa Jefferson, the 2022 U.S. champion, trailing by 0.09 seconds. Another sprinter from coach Dennis Mitchell’s camp, Twanisha Terry, secured third place, joining Richardson and Jefferson on the women’s 100-meter team.
Reflecting on her victory, Richardson said, “I feel honored. Every chapter I’ve been through in my life prepared me for this moment.” The emotional weight of her journey was evident as she dropped to one knee after crossing the finish line, overwhelmed by joy and the culmination of her hard work.
“The emotion was just joy because of the hard work I put in, not just physically on the track, but mentally and emotionally to grow into the mature young lady I am today,” she added.
Richardson’s journey has been anything but smooth. Three years ago, she won the same race in 10.86 seconds, only to have her victory stripped away due to a positive marijuana test. This incident brought her personal struggles with depression to light and highlighted the outdated nature of anti-doping rules.
Determined to come back stronger, Richardson focused on both her physical training and her personal growth. Her perseverance paid off when she won the national championship in 2023, boldly declaring, “I’m not back, I’m better.” She then proved her point by winning the world title a month later.
“I’d say the message I’m sending out is to believe in yourself no matter what,” Richardson shared, echoing her sentiments from last year’s championships in Budapest. “You want to remain solid in yourself. Stay grounded in yourself and your hard work.”
While Richardson’s current form makes her a favorite for the gold in Paris, she faces stiff competition. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and two-time defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who collectively boast 19 Olympic medals, will be formidable opponents. Richardson, on the other hand, is yet to make her Olympic debut.
The dynamics could shift with Thompson-Herah nursing a recent injury and Fraser-Pryce having a quiet season in 2024. Jackson, a two-time world champion in the 200 meters, also poses a significant threat. Richardson, who finished third in the 200 meters at the world championships, will also compete in that event at the trials.
In the U.S., the sprinters are pushing each other to new heights. Coach Dennis Mitchell, a sprinting legend from the 1990s, achieved the rare feat of getting his top three sprinters to the Olympics. “The odds of getting all three is probably a point-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-something,” Mitchell said. “But those girls didn’t care about those odds. They went out there and had a plan and they executed well and they deserve everything they got.”
Given her performance, Richardson’s status as the favorite is hard to dispute. She even bettered her season’s best time despite a less-than-ideal start and celebrated before the race ended. When asked if she had a target time for the Olympics, she remained focused on her execution. “I just know that if I execute and run the race I’m trained to prepare for, the time will come with it,” she said.
While Richardson stole the spotlight, Noah Lyles also made headlines. The reigning world champion at 100 meters ran his preliminary heat in 9.92 seconds, the fastest time in the first round of men’s qualifying. He’s set to race Sunday for a spot in the Olympics.
Lyles, like Richardson, has battled with depression, particularly during the COVID-affected Tokyo Olympics. He managed to win a bronze medal in the 200 meters and has since worked on adding the 100 meters to his skill set. His performance at Hayward Field showed he’s in good form. “It’s been ‘a long time’ for a long time,” Lyles said. “And I’m just so glad to be happy, glad to be out here, glad to be racing and feeling like myself.”
Other athletes also secured their places on the Olympic team. Health Baldwin from Michigan State won the decathlon, marking his first Olympic team appearance. He will be joined by Zack Ziemek, who is making his second appearance, and Harrison Williams, another debutant.
In the women’s triple jump, Jasmine Moore, Keturah Orji, and Tori Franklin claimed the three available spots, while Ryan Crouser overcame an elbow injury to win his eighth outdoor national title in the shot put.
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