Can Sha’Carri Richardson make Team USA in two individual events?
Four days after the reigning 100m world champion soared to victory in her marquee event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – track & field, the Dallas, Texas, native was back on the track – this time for the 200m.
Richardson was the only woman in the first round of the 200m to clock a sub-22, going 21.99 for the win on Thursday (27 June).
Richardson is the reigning world bronze medallist in that event, but she was 0.12 seconds faster than reigning silver medallist in Gabby Thomas, who also won her heat, going 22.11.
Both women eased up at the finish to cross the line safely, not only into the semis but as the run-away winners in their respective heats.
“It’s about execution,” Richardson, 24, told NBC. “I’m focusing in on executing the curve to make the straight-away much, much easier. I felt like today I thought I did that really excellent. I know that there is room for improvement, so I’m excited to show that in the semi-finals tomorrow.”
Asked if having already qualified for the 100m meant there was less press on Sha’Carri, she replied: “Absolutely not. Any time I touch the track, it’s an opportunity to work on my best self. So, any time I touch the track there’s pressure.”
