Sha’Carri Richardson has earned her spot in this summer’s Paris Games by winning the women’s 100m at the US Olympic trials. The 24-year-old clocked 10.71 seconds, marking the fastest time globally this year, to qualify for her first Olympics.
Previously, Richardson won the 100m at the US Olympic trials three years ago but missed the Tokyo Games due to a positive doping test for marijuana.
“I feel honored,” Richardson said to BBC following the race. “I feel every chapter I’ve been through in my life designed and prepared me for this moment. I cannot wait to go to Paris and represent.”
Despite a slow start, Richardson surged ahead at the 50m mark, finishing first. Melissa Jefferson came in second with 10.80 seconds, and Twanisha Terry secured third with 10.89 seconds. All three will compete for Team USA in Paris.
After her world-leading finish, Richardson hugged her grandmother, who cheered from the stands at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
“In the past three years I’ve grown – just [a] better understanding of myself, a deeper respect and appreciation for my gift that I have in the sport, and as well as my responsibility to the people that believe and support me,” said Richardson to BBC, “I feel like all of those components have helped me grow.”
Richardson claimed gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest with a record time of 10.65 seconds, marking her first major title. She now aims to add an Olympic gold to her achievements but hasn’t set a specific target time for Paris.
“I don’t put a time on myself, I just know that if I execute and run the race that I’ve trained [and] prepared for, that the time comes with it,” she said to BBC.
