Top U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson easily advanced through the first round of the 100 meters, winning her heat in 10.71 at the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
She had the fastest time of all the qualifiers, the fastest time in the world so far this year, and she ran a personal best by 0.01 seconds.
On Friday, she’ll race in the semifinal and, if she advances again, in the finals.
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Richardson is also in the 200 meters. The first round is on Saturday, and the semifinals and finals are on Sunday.
Richardson, 23, is one of the sport’s most recognizable stars. But she is often at the center of controversy.
In 2021, she won the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but she was not named to the Olympic team for Tokyo after Richardson tested positive for marijuana and had to serve a one-month ban. Richardson said she used marijuana after learning about the death of her mother.
In 2022, Richardson was not in her best form at last year’s national meet. She failed to advance out of the first round in the 100 meters and was eliminated in the semifinals of the 200.
Recently, she has been vocal on social media about athletes A Part of Hearst Digital Media in the sport. She announced on her Instagram account, to her 2.3 million followers, an athletes-only meeting in Eugene to “start this union that we most definitely deserve.”
Today Richardson passed through the media mixed zone after her race, but she did not stop to talk to reporters. A USATF spokesperson said she would speak on Sunday after all her racing had concluded.
Shoes & Gear is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World On Friday, shell race in the semifinal and, if she advances again, in the finals, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
