Sha’Carri Richardson falls short in women’s 200-meter final at U.S. Olympic Trials

EUGENE, Ore. — In a stunning upset at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Sha’Carri Richardson fell short of qualifying for the women’s 200-meter race in Paris as Gabby Thomas claimed victory in impressive fashion.

Despite Richardson’s dominance in the 100-meter event earlier in the Trials, it was Thomas who shined in the 200-meter final, crossing the finish line in 21.81 seconds to secure her spot at the upcoming Olympics. Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long also secured their places on the Paris-bound team, leaving Richardson in fourth place.

Richardson, who had been a favorite for Olympic gold in the 100-meter race, graciously accepted her defeat with a smile and applause for her fellow competitors. While Thomas had long been considered a strong contender in the 200, Richardson’s inability to catch Brown and Long came as a surprise to many.

Thomas, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and silver medalist at the last year’s world championships in the 200, made the strategic decision to sit out the 400-meter race earlier in the Trials to ensure she was fresh for her specialty event.

For Richardson, the disappointment of missing out on the 200-meter race in Paris was evident, but she remained positive and supportive of her teammates. With one Olympic event still on the horizon, Richardson will no doubt be looking to bounce back and showcase her incredible sprinting talents on the world stage.