Sha'Carri Richardson clinches Olympic spot

 

Sha'Carri Richardson clinched her first Olympic berth in a dominating 100-meter performance on Saturday. When she was asked about the moment shortly afterward, she revealed that her biological mother died last week. 

"My family has kept me grounded, this year has been crazy for me. Going from just last week, losing my biological mother, and I'm still here." Richardson said.

In the 100 meters, Richardson ran a time of 10.86 seconds. The time was .13 seconds faster than that of Javianne Oliver, who finished second. The 200 meter trial will be held later this week, and she hopes to qualify. 

Following her freshman year at LSU, during which she won the 2019 NCAA title in the same event, she turned pro. As the Olympics approach, she has become a household name and has run the second-fastest 100 meter time in the world this year. Although Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce beat it in a race earlier this year with a 10.63, she ran 10.72 seconds at the Miramar Invitational in April. 

As the race approaches, she will try to become the first American woman to win a gold medal at the 100m since Gail Devers in 1996. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Jamaican Elaine Thompson won gold, and Fraser-Pryce placed first at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.