On Saturday night, the defending world champion swept the women’s 100-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon. With a time of 10.71 seconds, Richardson secured her berth by setting a new world record. Both of Richardson’s training partners, Twanisha Terry and Melissa Jefferson, qualified for the Olympics after finishing second and third, respectively, with times of 10.89 and 10.80.
Richardson advanced to the 100-meter final earlier in the evening with a 10-second victory in the semifinals. Richardson tripped on an unfastened shoelace as she stepped out of the starting blocks in her heat during Friday night’s Trials debut race. She remarkably regained her composure just in time to sprint to the finish line and claim first place in her heat in 10.88 seconds.
Richardson, who is 24 years old, is making her Olympic debut. She made it to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after qualifying at the trials, but she didn’t make the cut after a sample showed she tested positive for cannabis. In addition to his two world gold medals and one world bronze, Richardson is hoping to add Olympic medalist to his impressive resume. Richardson told Lewis Johnson of NBC Sports last summer, “I’m ready mentally, physically, and emotionally.” No leaving me now. I have improved; I am not returning. This vivacious Team USA athlete will now take her infectious enthusiasm to the Olympic Games in Paris.
