Sha’Carri Richardson punches ticket to Paris Olympics with 100m win

Reuters | Sha’Carri Richardson earned her Olympic redemption on Saturday, winning the 100 meters final at the U.S. trials to punch her ticket to Paris.

The world champion wrested the lead midway through the race and accelerated through to finish in a world-leading 10.71 seconds, with Melissa Jefferson taking second in 10.80 and Twanisha Terry third in 10.89.

The fan favorite saw her Tokyo Olympic dream shattered with a positive cannabis test three years ago but was able to shake off the bitter memories as she took in the wild cheers from the adoring crowd in Eugene, Oregon.

“I feel honored. I feel everything, every chapter I’ve been through in my life… prepared me for this moment,” she said in a televized interview after the race.

The moment was made all the sweeter for Richardson as she will travel to Paris with her training partners Jefferson and Terry. The trio embraced in a scene of utter joy after crossing the finish at Hayward Field.

“I cannot wait to go to Paris and represent,” said Richardson, who went into the stands to hug her grandmother after the win. “It was a great race.”

Richardson is also entered to compete in the 200 meters, with the opening heats for the longer sprint set for Thursday.