21-Year-Old Sha’Carri Richardson Is Now One of the Fastest Women in America; Lands Spot on U.S. Olympic Team

Track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on Saturday night. The event took place at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

The 21-year-old competed against other young athletes for a chance to represent Team USA in Tokyo this summer.

Richardson Secures Spot on U.S. Olympic Team

Richardson sprinted to the finish line in the final seconds, earning her a winning time of 10.86 seconds. The second place finisher was Javianne Oliver, coming in at 10.99 seconds. Teahna Daniels  finished third in 11.03 seconds. All three women have earned a ticked to the Tokyo Olympics. They will be participating in the Olympic Games for the first time. 2016 Olympian Jenna Prandini will be an alternate for the Olympic team, placing fourth in 11.11 seconds.

Family members cheered from the bleachers to celebrate Richardson’s victory. She showered her family with hugs and participated in an interview with NBC. She was asked to share her emotions and talk about making her first Olympic team.

“Emotionally…unbelievable,” says Richardson as she describes the moment. “The fact that I am an Olympian.. [It’s been] a dream since I’ve been young.  I’m pretty sure everybody’s dream as a track athlete. Being happy is an understatement. I am highly blessed and grateful.”

During Richardson’s interview, she shared an emotional moment that took place in her personal life.

“Last week, finding out my biological mother passed away and still choosing to pursue my dreams. Still coming out here…still here to make the family that I do still have on this earth proud. And the fact [is] nobody knows what I go through. Everybody has struggles and I understand that. But y’all see me on this track. Y’all see the poker face I put on. But nobody but them and my coach know what I go through on a day-to-day basis.”

Becoming One of the Fastest Runners in History

While in college, Richardson broke the collegiate record in the 100 meters at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

In April, Richardson garnered attention for clocking a speed of 10.72 seconds at the Miramar Invitation. She made headlines as he sixth-fastest woman in history with the fastest time ever in Miramar, Florida. Her then-world leading record put her in the category of the top women on the all-time track and field list: Florence Griffith Joyner, Carmelita Jeter, Marion Jones, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson.

According to Runner’s World, Richardson is now ranked second in the world. She’s right behind Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica. Fraser-Pryce ran 10.62, representing the second-fastest 100-meter time in history.

The Louisiana State University (LSU) graduate is well on her way to making history.

“I am getting ready to change the game. I am as good as I say I am. It’s something I haven’t really expected, something the world hasn’t been expecting,” the runner shared after her race in April.