Sha’Carri Richardson is one step closer to securing her place in the second event for the Paris Olympics. While many fans believe that Richardson can take a breather with the 100m spot already in the bag, the reigning world champ seems to be determined to compensate for the fiasco from three years ago in every way possible.

In the 1st semi-final of the women’s 200m race at the ongoing US Track and Field Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Richardson was placed second overall as she matched her personal best of 21.92 seconds in the event. In the post-race interview, she also gave a hint about how she’s feeling about the big showdown ahead.

On being asked how she’s looking forward to going to Paris in two events, Sha’Carri grinned broadly and said, “…i feel like it’s my responsibility to the US to go to Paris and bring home those medals.” However, she did note that it seems like stars are finally aligning for her after she developed on the time from yesterday’s 1st round performance once again at Hayward Field.

When the interviewer asks Sha’Carri what would it mean to her to represent the country in two events, the sprinting sensation replied thoughtfully, “it would show that right timing is everything, and what is meant to happen, will happen, and nothing will stop it“. While the 2023 World Championships gold medalist is the obvious favorite in the 100m race at the upcoming Olympics, her latest victory will once again prove how she’s finding the extra steam in her engines thanks to her fans’ confidence in her prowess.

And it’s sending her on the right trajectory to greatness.

Sha’Carri Richarson racking in the wins

Sha’Carri, despite being one of the best women sprinters in the country for years, was barred from competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics because of traces of marijuana found in her blood sample. Richardson accepted the verdict, only to reveal the difficult familial situation that throttled her into a state of mental despair where she ended up using the substance as a way to escape reality.

However, Richardson has bounced back from the ordeal like a true champion. In 2023, she picked up two gold medals and one bronze at the World Championships, and in 2024 too, she racked up multiple victories in several events, including a thumping win at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic. While she did pull out of many events leading up to the Team Trials (like the Miramar Invitational), it’s evident that she has been putting in the efforts behind closed doors with eyes on the big prize.

Her journey road to redemption has been so impressive that even her coach Dennis Mitchell has often struggled to find words to describe his feelings seeing his student break every benchmark in the sprinting world. Now, as all eyes turn to tomorrow’s women’s 200m final, fans will have to wait to see if Sha’Carri can retain her momentum for another triumph on the road to the Paris Olympics.