Track and field recap, Aug. 2: Sha’Carri Richardson dominates Olympic debut

RESULTS

Sha’Carri Richardson‘s first Olympic race was a beauty. The reigning world champion scorched the purple Stade de France track in 10.94 seconds to cruise to victory in her heat and qualify for Saturday’s semifinal round. In her heat, Luxembourg’s Patrizia van der Weken and Australia’s Bree Masters also qualified. Unlike in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and hurdles events, the 100m does not feature a repechage round, so only the top-three finishers qualify for the semifinal.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote d’Ivoire posted a 10.87, the day’s top time in the 100m. Julien Alfred of St. Lucia, another medal contender in the event, hit 10.95 seconds to win her heat and advance to the semi. Alfred won the 60m at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in March and is on a quest for Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal, in any sport.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 37-year-old Jamaican competing in her final Olympic Games, logged the second-fastest time of the heats (10.92) to coast to the semis, where she’s matched up in a loaded semifinal No. 2 with Alfred and Richardson.

The third 100m heat delivered the most riveting action of the morning. Great Britain’s Daryll Neita posted the top time at 10.92 seconds, just edging American Melissa Jefferson (10.96). Boglarka Takacs placed third, setting a Hungarian national record in the process with a run of 11.10 seconds to reach Saturday’s semi.

In the rest of the heats, medal contender Tia Clayton of Jamaica and Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain both advanced smoothly, as did American Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry.