Four days after winning the 100m race at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track & field, the current world champion from Dallas, Texas, competed in the 200m event.
In the first round of the 200m event on Thursday (June 27), Richardson was the only woman to run faster than 22 seconds, finishing in 21.99 to take the victory.
Richardson, who won a bronze medal in the world championships for that event, ran 0.12 seconds faster than Gabby Thomas, the silver medalist, who also won her heat with a time of 22.11 seconds.
Both women slowed down towards the end of the race to ensure a safe finish, comfortably advancing to the semifinals as clear winners in their heats.
"It's all about how well you do it," Richardson, aged 24, told NBC. "I'm concentrating on doing the curves right to make the straight parts easier. Today, I think I did that really well. I know I can do even better, so I'm looking forward to showing that in tomorrow's semifinals."
When asked if qualifying for the 100m reduced the pressure on her, Sha'Carri responded, "Definitely not. Every time I compete on the track, it's a chance to improve myself. So, every time I compete, there's pressure."
Abby Steiner finished with a time of 22.29, Brittany Brown also finished with a time of 22.29, McKenzie Long finished with a time of 22.49, and Jadyn Mays finished with a time of 22.50 to complete the top six.
Richardson's training partner, Twanisha Terry, also advanced to the semifinals with a time of 22.71, placing tenth among the 27 qualifiers. Like Richardson, Terry is aiming to succeed in both sprint events.
Their teammate Melissa Jefferson, who is also heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics, is not participating in the 200m event. The semifinals for the women's 200m will be held on Friday, June 28, and the final is scheduled for Saturday, June 29.
SOURCE: Olympics