Richardson advances
A SHAKY Start off the blocks could not derail Sha'Carri Richardson, as the world champion won her 100 metres heat in 10.88 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials.
Richardson was Tokyo-bound three years ago but a positive test for cannabis brought her Olympic dream come crashing down. The fan favourite was hungry for redemption this time around in Eugene, Oregon.
She stumbled at the start and took a few steps to Ɲnd her footing before exploding through the second half of the race. She was all smiles, having claimed the fastest time across the opening heats.
"DeƝnitely didn't have the start that I've been training" for, Richardson said in a televised interview. "But still, not panicking, staying patient and knowing that - no matter what's going on - to continue to run my race."
Melissa Jefferson Ɲnished with the second-fastest time of the day in 10.91 while McKenzie Long was three-hundredths of a second slower.
The crowd at Hayward Field greeted Richardson to wild applause, and the Texan showed little sign of nerves back in the spotlight.
"I am enjoying just the recognition of hard work," she told broadcaster NBC.
Richardson is also registered for the 200 and will compete next in Saturday's 100 semi-Ɲnal round.
The trials kicked off under sweltering conditions, as temperatures hovered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) when the evening programme began.
Competing for the Ɲrst time in nine months, Olympic champion Athing Mu ran a conservative race and easily advanced past the opening heats of the 800 in 2:01.73, while Michaela Rose had the fastest time of the day in 1:59.57.
"I feel like it was just like any other Ɲrst race for me," said Mu, who delayed her season debut due to hamstring soreness.
The 2022 world champion Michael Norman jogged through the Ɲnish to win his 400 heat in 45.31, keeping his comeback story on track after he struggled last year with injuries.