Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas set up showdown in 200 final at Olympic track trials

Richardson is looking to qualify in her second event after winning the 100 in 10.71 seconds last week. The U.S. Olympic track and field trials title continues a remarkable climb back to prominence for Richardson, who delighted track fans in 2021 at the trials before a stunning fall from grace when she was banned after testing positive for THC. She missed the Tokyo Games and has been blunt about her struggles before and after that cataclysmic event, saying everything she’s been through allowed her to come back. She is running with obvious joy this season. 

Asked what it would mean to head to Paris in two events, Richardson said, “it would show that divine timing is everything. And what is meant to happen is going to happen and nothing will stop it. And I will feel like it’s my responsibility … to go to Paris and bring back those medals.”

Thomas, meanwhile, is the defending bronze medalist in the 200. She also won a silver as part of the 4×100 relay in Tokyo.

Thomas is also a fan favorite in the track world partially because of her unconventional college choice. She ran at Harvard from 2015-18, turning pro before her senior season of college. She tends to run well in this stadium, having recorded personal bests in both the 100 and 200 in previous meets held in Eugene.