Sha’Carri Richardson pounded her chest two steps before reaching the finish line, knowing she had won. She is the sprinter to beat at the Paris Olympics this summer with a 10.71-second sprint in the 100 meters at U.S. track trials, making her the fastest woman in the world this year.
Richardson’s victory marked the third time she finished strong despite a less-than-stellar start at the meet. She finished ahead of Melissa Jefferson, the 2022 U.S. champion, and Twanisha Terry, both of whom also earned spots on the women’s 100-meter team.
“I feel honored,” Richardson said. “Every chapter in my life has prepared me for this moment.”
After crossing the finish line, Richardson kneeled in emotion, reflecting on her journey. She had previously won the race in 2019 but had it stripped due to a positive marijuana test, leading to a period of growth and self-reflection.
Richardson’s message is to believe in oneself and stay grounded in hard work. She faces tough competition at the Olympics, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion at 100 meters, also ran impressively in the men’s qualifying round, aiming for a spot in the Olympics after a challenging period dealing with depression.
Other athletes who secured spots on the U.S. Olympic team include decathlete Heath Baldwin, triple jumpers Jasmine Moore, Keturah Orji, and Tori Franklin, and shot putters Ryan Crouser, Joe Kovacs, and Payton Otterdahl.
The U.S. team showed its strength in the shot put event, with Crouser stating that only one spot would be available to the rest of the world if they competed in the trials.
