Sha’Carri Richardson is redefining her debut Olympic journey like never before. She dominated the women’s 100 meters with a world lead at the US track and field Olympic trials and swiftly secured her ticket to Paris. Now, refreshed and refocused two days later, Sha’Carri is setting her sights on a double gold quest, aiming to conquer the 200 meters as well. At Hayward Field in Eugene, she blazed through the prelims with a season-best time of 21.99 seconds, her strongest finish so far this year in the 200m.

Despite some initial struggles earlier in the season, this performance ranks as the second-fastest time globally for the 200m in 2024. Looking ahead to Paris, the 200-meter field is dominated by American women in the top ten rankings for 2024, with Julien Alfred as the sole exception at number six. As Sha’Carri Richardson now eyes the 200-meter Paris ticket, she’s about to go head-to-head with some tough competition, with Gabby Thomas shaping up as her biggest rival on American turf. Let’s see how!

Gabby Thomas’ dominance in the 200 meters over Sha’Carri Richardson

According to USTAF, Gabby Thomas wasn’t far behind Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 200-meter prelims at the 2024 US Trials, clocking 22.11 seconds in the heats. While her time trailed Sha’Carri’s, Gabby boasts a solid track record in the 200-meter. At the Tokyo Olympics, she clinched the bronze medal in the event. During the 2021 US Olympic Trials, Gabby made waves by breaking the meet record with an impressive 21.61 seconds, leaving American rivals Jenna Prandini and Anavia Battle in her wake.

Her performance even outpaced Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete in history, who finished fifth at the trials that year. In the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Gabby further proved her moxie by securing the silver medal in the 200-meter with a time of 21.81 seconds. Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson claimed bronze with a close 21.92 seconds, behind Gabby and defending champion Shericka Jackson.

Reflecting on Gabby Thomas’s blazing track record, let’s also delve into their 2024 performances and how she continues to dominate Sha’Carri in the 200-meter.

The best of their 2024 ahead of the Paris Olympics

Gabby Thomas has been on fire in her 2024 races. At the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on March 30, 2024, she blazed through with a phenomenal 22.08 seconds, securing first place despite a +1.2 m/s wind. She followed up at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix on May 18, 2024, clocking 22.68 seconds with a -0.3 m/s wind, finishing sixth. Then, on June 9, 2024, she dominated the USATF New York City Grand Prix with a solid 22.42 seconds, even with a challenging -3.1 m/s wind.

Sha’Carri Richardson, on the other hand, has faced challenges in the 200m since the start of her season. In the Xiamen Diamond League on April 20, 2024, she secured second place with a time of 22.99 seconds and a -0.4 m/s wind. Just a week later, at the Yangtze Delta Athletics Diamond Gala in Suzhou, China, she finished third with a time of 23.11 seconds and a +0.2 m/s wind. Sha’Carri’s standout moment came at the 2024 US Olympic Trials, where she mastered the curve in the 200m, securing the second-fastest time globally, ahead of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas.

However, Gabby’s consistent track record speaks volumes over that of Richardson’s in the 200 meters. With the final field stacking up, Sha’Carri Richardson faces a daunting task to match Gabby’s level and seize the 200-meter crown. Do you think Sha’Carri Richardson has what it takes to outpace Gabby Thomas in the 200m? Can both of them secure their spots at the Paris Olympics for the 200m? Who’s your pick? Share your thoughts below!