There will be no denying Sha’Carri Richardson from getting her Olympic moment at last.
The dominant American sprint star stormed away from the field Saturday night to run a blistering 10.71 in the 100 meter, capturing first place and a ticket to Paris at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, held in Eugene, Ore. Richardson’s time is the fastest recorded in the world this season.
The 100m final capped a dominant performance by Richardson at these Olympic Trials. She wasn’t truly threatened in either of the three races. She’s come from behind in her last four sprints, all at Hayward Field — including the Prefontaine Classic last month — and used her signature closing speed to get it done. In the first heat on Friday, Richardson stumbled out of the blocks and had a loose shoelace but still closed strong and finished with a 10.88.
It was the first sign she was on top of her game despite having just one 100-meter race under her belt this season.
While Richardson didn’t ever seem in any real danger of losing — she had a comfortable enough lead to celebrate in the final strides — she was certainly pushed in the women’s final by her training partners. Melissa Jefferson finished second with a time 10.80 to secure a spot in Paris. Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry took…
