Sha’Carri Richardson’s performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Oregon last weekend was nothing short of remarkable. She secured a spot for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, a testament to her exceptional talent and hard work.
During the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials on Saturday. Richardson not only clinched a spot for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She also set a new record for the world’s fastest time of the year in the women’s 100-meter race, crossing the line in just 10.71 seconds.
On Friday, Richardson faced a hurdle of a different kind when she tripped over her shoelace coming out of the block. Undeterred, she powered through, finishing first with a time of 10.88 seconds. This remarkable feat was the fastest time of all runners in four heats.
“I definitely didn’t have the start I’ve been training to have in this moment,” Richardson told NBC in a post-race interview on Friday. “But I’m still not panicking. I’m staying patient and knowing no matter what’s going on, to continue to run my race.”
Richardson is prepared for Paris after missing out on Tokyo in 2020. She qualified for the Olympics in 2020 when she ran a 10.86 in the 100-meter dash. Later, she was suspended for a month because she tested positive for THC, a chemical marijuana.
This year, Richardson demonstrated her readiness for the upcoming Olympics by running a 10.65 in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Her performance showed her preparation and dedication, setting the stage for an exciting time in Paris.
“I’m not back, I’m better, Richardson told People.com. “That slogan comes from knowing that I’ve been in the world. I’ve been in the world in a way that is not necessarily the way many people could handle or bounce back or survive. The fact that I’m able to stand here and be the athlete I’ve been. I’ve been the woman I’ve been,” Richardson added, reflecting on her journey since being suspended. “I’m wiser. I’m calmer, I’m disciplined, and I’m more focused on the responsibility that I have as well as my passion for what I do.”
Richardson will be fun to watch this summer in Paris, so tune in.
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