By In a dramatic turn of events at the US Olympic Trials, sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson failed to secure a spot in the 200 meters for the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing fourth in the final. The race was won by Gabby Thomas, who crossed the line in an impressive 21.81 seconds.
Richardson, who had already qualified for the Olympics in the 100 meters last week, was in contention for most of the race but faded in the final stretch. Her time of 22.16 seconds was slower than her performances in the preliminary rounds, leaving her just short of Olympic qualification in this event.
Key takeaways from the 200m final:
1. Gabby Thomas wins with a time of 21.81 seconds
2. Brittany Brown and NCAA champion McKenzie Long secure second and third spots
3. Sha’Carri Richardson finishes fourth, missing out on 200m Olympic qualification
4. Thomas, focusing solely on the 200m, looks to build on her Tokyo 2020 bronze medal
Despite the disappointment in the 200m, Richardson’s Olympic dreams remain alive. She punched her ticket to Paris in the 100 meters with a blazing 10.71-second sprint last week, marking her first Olympic qualification. Richardson will also be part of the women’s 4×100 relay team.
The 27-year-old Thomas, who chose to concentrate on the 200m by dropping the 400m from her program, will aim to improve on her bronze medal performance from Tokyo 2020. Her biggest challenge in Paris is expected to come from Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, who ran 21.41 seconds at last year’s world championships – the second-fastest time in history.
Richardson’s journey to Olympic qualification has been marked by ups and downs. She qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Games but was unable to compete due to a one-month suspension following a positive THC test. Her resilience was evident in her statement after qualifying in the 100m: “I feel honored. I feel every chapter I’ve been through in my life prepared me for this moment.”
As the US Olympic Trials conclude, all eyes will be on how Richardson rebounds from this setback and prepares for her Olympic debut in the 100m and relay events. Meanwhile, Thomas will look to build on her dominant 200m performance as she heads to Paris with high expectations.
The Paris 2024 Olympics promise to deliver thrilling athletics competitions, with America’s top sprinters ready to showcase their talents on the global stage.
