US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson credits growth in Olympic qualifying

EUGENE – Sha’Carri Richardson banished painful memories of years past to punch her ticket to the Paris Games on June 22 in the 100 metres, saying she grew both on and off the track to reach the next level of her sport.

She won the 100m in 2021 at the United States Olympic trials but was not allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games after testing positive for cannabis, sparking intense debate and outcry among her legions of loyal US fans.

Richardson, 24, appeared to have put the matter behind her on June 22 in Eugene, Oregon, where she won the trials in a world-leading 10.71 seconds, sending a message to her rivals around the globe.

Melissa Jefferson was second in 10.80sec and Twanisha Terry third in 10.89sec.

Richardson is also entered to compete in the 200m, with the opening heats for the longer sprint set for June 27.

“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,” she said.

“I feel like all of those components have helped me grow.”

The 100m world champion got off to wobbly starts in the opening round and semi-final races but kept her nerve straight through to the final, where she wrested the lead midway through the race.

She became emotional after crossing the finishing line and ran to the stands at Hayward Field to hug her grandmother, telling reporters later that she had put in work to “grow into the mature young lady that I am today”.

Richardson said she did not have a time goal for Paris and would instead focus on running a “well-executed race”.

“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.

Not since Gail Devers in 1996 has an American woman been crowned an Olympic 100m champion.

In the men’s 100m, Noah Lyles cruised through his opening heat.

He got a speedy start off the blocks to produce the fastest time across the opening heats in 9.92sec, kicking off his campaign with rapper Snoop Dogg sitting next to his mother in the stands.

Lyles, who completed the world championships sprint double in 2023, said it was the best he has ever felt in an opening round 100m race.

Christian Coleman, who missed the Tokyo Games after receiving a two-year ban for breaching whereabouts rules, was the second fastest of the day in 9.99sec.

The 200m Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek (10.00sec) also advanced to the semi-final stage, along with 2022 world champion Fred Kerley (10.03sec).

Shot put world record holder Ryan Crouser overcame multiple injuries earlier in 2024 to win the men’s final with a season’s best throw of 22.84m, while his main rival Joe Kovacs finished second with 22.43m and Payton Otterdahl third (22.26m).

“It was a tough spring to say the least. So I’m just happy to be out here competing again,” said Crouser, 31, who hopes to claim a third consecutive gold in Paris.

Jasmine Moore won the women’s triple jump on her final attempt of 14.26m, while Keturah Orji was second with 14.22m and 2022 world bronze medallist Tori Franklin took third with a leap of 13.72m. REUTERS, AFP