12 days after the 2024 Paris Olympics concluded, Tamari Davis competed at the Lausanne Diamond League meet on August 22nd. However, while she might have walked away happy on Thursday night, the same couldn’t be said about her experience at the French Capital. The 21-year-old was supposed to be on the 4x100m relay. However, Sha’Carri Richardson joined Twanisha Terry, Melissa Jefferson, and Gabby Thomas for both the heats and the finals on the purple tracks.

At the 100m in Lausanne, Davis locked horns with GB’s Dina Asher-Smith. However, she couldn’t sprint past her, who clinched a win with a season-best of 10.88 seconds. The American instead had to settle for a second-place finish with 10.97 seconds on the clock. After the intense race, she was asked what it felt like to be back on track. “It went well tonight. I’m just trying to bounce back after not making the Olympic team, and I’m pleased with the result.” 

Undeterred, the sprinter graciously accepted her fate vis-à-vis Sha’Carri Richardson at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “This was my first race back, and I´m happy and healthy – and that is what matters most,” she stated. The 21-year-old had previously turned heads at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest along with Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas, and Sha’Carri Richardson. Team USA blazed past their competitors clocking in a championship record time of 41.03 seconds. 

The sprinter was hoping to continue that streak at the French capital. She missed out on the podium at the historic Hayward Field. But she still turned heads by crossing the finish line in the 4th position in the 100m with 10.91 seconds on the clock. Days before the Paris Summer Games, she placed second in 10.99 seconds – but missed out on contesting on the world’s biggest stage. “I love being in Lausanne, the atmosphere is always great. I´m happy to be back.” Tamari Davis didn’t partake in the 4x100m relay. So how did Team USA fare in the French capital? Let’s find out. 

Sha’Carri Richardson redeemed herself in the 4x100m relay

As the clouds loomed over Stade de France, the light purple tracks now soaked were ready to host the 100m finals. Sha’Carri Richardson was poised as the favorite, but Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred sprinted her way to glory. After setting for a silver, she was back on the tracks for another sprint – the 4x100m relay. She was positioned at the anchor leg, hoping to keep the pace until the finish line. However, up until this point, Team USA was currently in contention for the third step on the podium. 

But everything changed as soon as Gabby Thomas handed the baton over to the 24-year-old. She had her sights set on the Olympic gold. With a split of 10.09 seconds, the world champion blazed past Daryll Neita. The Americans claimed the top step of the podium with a stellar time of 41.78 seconds – Sha’Carri Richardson’s first-ever Olympic gold. Tamari Davis may not have had the chance to celebrate with Team USA on the podium, but she got to have a moment of her own in Lausanne.