Sha’Carri Richardson has proved herself to be a true champion. When all eyes were on Richardson, she shone brightly to take the world lead at the US Olympics trials. Running in the Hayward Field, Richardson clocked an impressive 21.99s to punch her ticket to Paris as the number one contender. While Richardson finished first, Gabby Thomas (22.11s) and (22.29s) followed suit in second and third place, respectively. 

However, the build-up to Richardson’s 200m trials was quite the opposite. The 100m track queen of the US was not even considered the favorite for the 200m. Starting her 2024, Richardson did not have the smoothest 200m sailing. Competing at the Shanghai Diamond League, Richardson failed to impress and ended up in third place. Great Britain’s Daryll Neita got the pole position with 22.62s, while Anaiva Battle from the US clinched second spot(22.99s). 

Unfortunately, Sha’Carri Richardson did not look to be in the best of her elements, clocking a modest 23.11s. But this was not all, Richardson’s participation in the Xiamen Diamond League too, went down as another bad day at the office. Favorite to win the dash, Richardson was stunned by Australia’s Torrie Lewis who clocked 22.96s to emerge victorious. Richardson finished second closely with 22.99s. Such poor shows invited critics to bash her significantly. But like a true champion, Sha’Carri Richardson has silenced all of them when it mattered the most. And now, going to Paris, Richardson will face a three-way fight. 

Sha’Carri Richardson looks to outshine competition in Paris

Sha’Carri Richardson may have won the initial round of the 200m trials. But there is a long way to go before she can lay her hands on the coveted gold. Standing in her path are two of her fellow compatriots, Mackenzie Long and Gabby Thomas. Thomas, who is already an Olympian, will aim for the gold this time having won silver in Tokyo. Strengthening her reputation as a menacing 200m challenger, Thomas owned the Texas Relays, clocking 22.08s. 

On the other hand, Mackenzie Long is a star in the making. Touted as the hottest NCAA property at the moment, Long is the 100m & 200m champion of NCAA at the moment. Add to that her antics in the Diamond League, and Richardson will have her work cut out. But with the form Richardson has shown in the first round, things are looking bright. Richardson’s time was tantalizingly close to her 200m personal best of 22.92s. And if she manages to beat her own record, Sha’Carri Richardson may well be staring down her maiden 200m Olympic gold medal in Paris.