Sha’Carri Richardson secures Olympic redemption with 100m win at US trials

Sha’Carri Richardson, the world 100-meter champion, won a shot for Olympic redemption by winning the 100 at the US athletics trials on Saturday, securing her spot for the Paris Games.

Three years after being booted off the US squad for the Tokyo Olympics due to a positive marijuana test, Richardson won the women’s 100 final in 10.71 seconds, with Melissa Jefferson second in 10.80 and Twanisha Terry third in 10.89.

Richardson trailed from the start but raced to the lead in the middle, crossing the finish line in this year’s world-best time with a wind speed of 0.8m/sec.

“I cannot wait to go to Paris and represent.”

Three years ago, Richardson appeared set for the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics after winning at the US trials in 10.86.

But dreams of Olympic gold were shattered when it was revealed she had tested positive for marijuana, resulting in a one-month suspension that banned her from Tokyo.

Plans to revive her career at the 2022 World Championships failed when she bombed out of the US trials.

Richardson, however, roared back into form in 2023 with a thrilling 100m triumph at the World Championships in Budapest, taking the crown in a championship record of 10.65secs.

This year, Richardson won her only prior 100m at May’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in 10.83.