EUGENE, Ore. — Shacarrie Richardson and Gabby Thomas, considered the favorites to win medals for the United States at the 2024 Paris Games, both placed first in their semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials and advanced to the women's 200-meter final on Friday night at Hayward Field.
Richardson tied his personal best in 21.92 seconds, while Thomas ran the fastest time in the world this season in 21.78 seconds. Their wins set up the final, scheduled for Saturday at 8:27 p.m. ET (5:27 p.m. local time).
“I'm super excited to tie (my personal best),” Richardson told NBC after the race. “I'm looking forward to racing (Saturday) and giving it my all.”
Mackenzie Long held the world's fastest time in the 200 meters this year (21.83) but Thomas beat that record in the semifinals before winning her heat and also advanced.
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“I was a little surprised. I thought I was in good shape and ready to go, but I felt really good and under control,” Thomas said after the race. “I didn't expect to feel that good and go that fast, so I'm looking forward to Saturday's race.”
Richardson won the 100m in 10.71 seconds last week and is looking to qualify for just her second Olympic Games. The U.S. Olympic Trials title continues a remarkable comeback for Richardson, who delighted track and field fans at the 2021 Trials only to have a spectacular fall from grace when she tested positive for THC and was suspended. She missed the Tokyo Olympics and has spoken candidly about the struggles before and after that debacle, saying everything she went through made her comeback possible. She's clearly been running with joy this season.
When asked what heading to Paris for both Games would mean to her, Richardson said, “It just goes to show that it's all about God's timing. What's going to happen is going to happen and there's nothing to stop it. And I would feel like it's my responsibility to go to Paris and bring home medals.”
Meanwhile, Thomas retained his bronze medal in the 200 meters and also won silver in the 4×100 meters relay in Tokyo.
Thomas has become a fan favorite in the track and field community in part due to his unconventional college choice: He ran at Harvard from 2015 to 2018 before turning professional before his senior year. He has a penchant for doing well on the track, setting personal bests in both the 100 and 200 meters at past meets in Eugene.
“To be honest with you, I'd love to see (a personal best). I know I can do it. It took a lot of discipline and patience to rest the first half of the trials and then run a good 200,” said Thomas, who was considering doubling up the 200 and also running the 400. “I wouldn't be surprised if I see a big personal best (Saturday), but you never know. You never know what's going to happen in these races, so I just want to win.”
Contributor: Tyler Dragon
