Sha’Carri Richardson wins 100m at track trials to qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics

EUGENE, Ore. — Is it Sha’Carri Richardson’s time? If the U.S. Olympic track and field trials are an indication, the answer appears to be yes.

Richardson cruised to win the women’s 100 meters with a world-leading time of 10.71.

Richardson got off to a sluggish start, but accelerated by the other sprinters at 60 meters and crossed the line well ahead to stamp her ticket to the Paris Olympics.

The reigning world champion won the opening round of the 100 meters despite a bad start and a loose shoelace. She raced by the other sprinters in the semifinals, and then she made an impressive statement in the final.

Melissa Jefferson ran a personal-best 10.80 to place second. Twanisha Terry got third with a time of 10.98.

Richardson, Jefferson, and Terry, who all train together, will advance to the Paris Olympics.

Richardson is in the midst of an impressive stretch in her career. She won gold at the 2023 world track and field championships, she beat a stout international field at the Pre Classic and now she added another first place at the U.S. trials. Her performances have propelled her to one of the brightest stars headed to Paris.

This is the second time Richardson qualified for the Olympics in the 100. But Richardson made international news following the 2020 Olympics trials when she tested positive for THC. She was subsequently suspended for one month, and her ban ran through the Olympic 100 meters.

This time, though, Richardson is prepared to not only compete in the Paris, but she is also entering the Olympics as the early favorite in the 100.

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