Sha’Carri Richardson seemed poised for glory as she stepped onto the Hayward Field track on Saturday night for the 200-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
However, the night took an unexpected turn with Gabby Thomas stealing the spotlight.
Thomas delivered a stunning performance, clocking in at 21.81 seconds to secure her ticket to the Paris Olympics.
Richardson finished in fourth place with a time of 22.16 seconds, missing the mark set in the earlier heats.
The defeat in the 200m trials means that Richardson will only have the 100m to concentrate on in Paris in addition to her likely role in the 4x100m relay squad.
Thomas’s prowess was evident from the start. At the 2023 World Championships, Richardson claimed gold in the 200 meters, but Thomas was right behind her with a silver medal. This time, Thomas was even more formidable, having recorded an impressive 21.78 seconds in the semifinals.
Richardson, known for her explosive speed in the 100 meters, couldn’t find the same rhythm in the 200 meters. Despite her efforts, she fell short of securing a spot in the French capital.
Joining Thomas in Paris are Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long. Both athletes delivered strong performances, completing the race in 21.90 seconds and 21.91 seconds, respectively, the only other runners in their group to break the 22-second mark.
Here are the final results of the women’s 200-meter race:
Women’s 200-Meter Final Results:
- Gabby Thomas – 21.81
- Brittany Brown – 21.90
- McKenzie Long – 21.91
- Sha’Carri Richardson – 22.16
- Tamara Clark – 22.20
- Abby Steiner – 22.24
- Jenna Prandini – 22.58
- Jadyn Mays – 22.60
The race was one of the highlights of the American track calendar, with Thomas’s performance leaving a lasting impression.
