Sha'Carri made up for an early stumble by breezing past her competition in the 100-meter dash to advance in the Olympic qualifiers for the Paris games this summer.
Richardson decisively won the opening round of the women's 100 meters, running a 10.88 to advance to the semifinals of the US Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
The sprinter did not get off to a great start as one of her shoelaces came untied. However, she made up for the mishap by winning her heat in record time.
'Definitely didn't have the start that I've been training to have in this moment,' Richardson told NBC after the win.
'But still, not panicking, staying patient and knowing that no matter what's going on, to continue to run my race.'
Sha'Carri Richardson ran a 10.88 100 meter on Friday to advance in the US Olympic qualifiers
10.88 w/ the stumble out of the gate is mind blowing. i don’t think people realize sha’carri richardson’s trajectory right now. this is amazing. pic.twitter.com/KfaAIwuPTO
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) June 22, 2024Richardson is vying for her first Olympic games in an already impressive career.
The American qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after winning the 100 at the 2020 trials. However, Richardson tested positive for THC and got suspended for a month.
Her controversial suspension ran through the 100 race in Japan, leaving her out of the competition.
Richardson's second-best time of 10.83 is the third fastest in the world this year. Furthermore, she is coming off a remarkable 2023 season - winning her first world championship in the 100.
She also added a second gold medal with Team USA's 4x100-meter relay team and won a world championship bronze in the 200.
Richardson qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before getting suspended for THC use
Richardson's second-best time of 10.83 in the 100 is the third-fastest in the world this year
'It's been really beautiful to see how she is now really standing in what it means to be the face of the sprints. It comes with a lot,' NBC track and field analyst Sanya Richards-Ross said of Richardson this week.
'I think she has a real shot at being the Olympic champion with the way the women's 100 has been going.'
'I'm prepared,' Richardson said. 'I just need to put it all together.'