Sha'Carri Richardson reacts to blazing Olympics debut, how Worlds Outdoor Championship success helps in Paris

Sha’Carri Richardson had a dominant debut in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Friday, cruising to victory in her first-round heat of the women’s 100m with a time of 10.94 seconds.

Richardson advanced to Saturday’s semifinal round after her performance in the first of eight heats Friday morning. Richardson spoke with NBC Sports after her run and described the feeling of making her Olympics debut.

“To be at the Olympics is a phenomenal feeling, to be an athlete here, competing with energy and great appreciation for track and field, it gives great support to be a track and field athlete, so I’m super excited and eager to compete on the Olympic stage,” Richardson said.

Richardson, 24, was originally supposed to make her Olympics debut in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo after finishing first in the United States Olympic Trials. Shortly thereafter, Richardson tested positive for marijuana. She was suspended four weeks and ruled ineligible to compete in Tokyo.

Sha’Carri Richardson leaning on experience in World Athletics Championship

Richardson did participate in the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, winning gold in the women’s 100m. She recorded a time of 10.65 seconds, well ahead of the time she posted in Friday’s heat.

The Worlds is the biggest stage Richardson had been on up until Friday and helped her prepare for the Olympics.

“Absolutely, I think that last year Worlds being the biggest stage I’ve been on, that being an almost mini-Olympics itself, it definitely gives a little preparation actually being at the Olympic games itself,” Richardson said.

Richardson is the favorite to win gold in the 100m. Her U.S. teammates, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, also advanced to the semifinals. Jefferson (10.8) and Terry (10.89) finished second and third to take the other spots for the 100m. Richardson trains with Jefferson and Terry under the guidance of coach Dennis Mitchell.