By Julie Peh, At Portland (Oregon-Usa)
Team Usa sent more than 100 track and field athletes to the Olympics three years ago. Another sizable group will be heading overseas this July, and the final step in the journey to Paris is happening right now. It’s just the latest step in Richardson’s road to redemption. Richardson never made it to Tokyo for the last Olympics despite winning the 100 at the last Trials, too. After enchanting the country with her boundless charisma she tested positive for marijuana, a banned substance, and wasn’t allowed to run in Japan.
Richardson, who was raised by her grandmother, later shared that she used marijuana as a coping mechanism after learning her biological mother had died. But with Saturday’s dominant win in the 100, she’ll get another chance to win an Olympic medal. As soon as Richardson crossed the finish line she was emotional, wiping away tears and celebrating with the other top finishers. Melissa Jefferson (second, 10.80) and Twanisha Terry (10.89, third), two of Richardson’s training mates, are also headed to Paris.
“We didn’t put the world on notice, the world already knew,” Richardson said. “We knew this moment could be possible if we put our minds, body and spirit into it … we knew it was possible, and we got the job done.”
Richardson is also entered in the 200, which will be run Thursday. She is expected to be placed on the 4×100 relay team as well. -Lindsay Schnell Follow along with Usa Sports for updates and results from all of Saturday’s action at Hayward Field:
Saturday’s finals results
Women’s triple jump
- First: Jasmine Moore, 46-9½
- Second: Keturah Orji, 46-8
- Third: Tori Franklin, 45-0¼
Men’s shot put
- First: Ryan Crouser, 74-11¼
- Second: Joe Kovacs, 73-7¼
- Third: Payton Otterdahl, 73-0½
Men’s Decathlon
- First: Heath Baldwin, 8,625 points
- Second: Zach Ziemek, 8,516 points
- Third: Harrison Williams, 8,384 points
Women’s 100 meters
- First: Sha’Carri Richardson, 10.71
- Second: Melissa Jefferson, 10.8
- Third: Twanisha Terry, 10.89
Ryan Crouser wins men’s shot put to return to Olympics
World record-holder Ryan Crouser won the men’s shot put with a throw of 74 feet, 11¼ inches. Crouser has a chance to be the first man to win three Olympic gold medals in shot put. Joe Kovacs threw 73-7¼ to finish second and Payton Otterdahl came in third, throwing 73-0½. The three will advance to the Paris Olympics.
Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman advance in 100
Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley won the second heat of the men’s 100. Kerley posted a 10.03 to advance to Sunday’s semifinal. Christian Coleman stormed out of the blocks, took an early lead and coasted the rest of the way to easily win the fourth heat with a 9.99. Kerley, Coleman and Noah Lyles are the three favorite in the 100. Two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder Ryan Crouser headlines the competition in Saturday’s men’s shot put final. Crouser’s personal-best of 77 feet, 3¾ inches is the current world record. He owns the top four shot put marks ever. Noah Lyles advances in 100 qualifying with easy preliminary round win.
With Snoop Dogg in the stands watching with Noah Lyles’ mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, Lyles cruised to victory in the preliminary round of the 100 meters. Lyles ran a 9.92 to win the opening round. He was the only sprinter to run sub-10 seconds in the first heat. Kenny Bednarek ran a 10.00 to finish second.
McKenzie Long fails to qualify for 100 final in first big shock of trials
Ncaa 100- and 200-meter champion McKenzie Long was unable to qualify for the final in the women’s 100. Long placed fourth in her semifinals heat, running an 11.15. Tamara Clark ran an 11.09 to win. Candace Hill was right behind Clark, running an 11.10 to finish second. Clark and Hill automatically qualify for the 100 final. Long was on Usa Today Sports’ list of college stars to watch. She is also scheduled to run the 200 on Thursday.
The 2024 United States Olympic trials for track and field will be staged at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Organized by Usa Track and Field, the ten-day competition will last from June 21 to 30 and will serve as the national championships in track and field for the United States.
