SAINT-DENIS, France – Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and world champion Sha’Carri Richardson delivered strong performances in the opening round of the women’s 100 meters on Friday at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Read more: Jamaican sprint star Shericka Jackson withdrew from Olympic 100m
Richardson, making her Olympic debut, won her heat convincingly with a time of 10.94 seconds, effortlessly securing her spot in the semifinals. The Florida-trained athlete sped on the vibrant purple track of Stade de France in her neon green shoes, creating a unique contrast as she crossed the finish line.
Fraser-Pryce, competing in her fifth and final Olympics, also advanced comfortably, clocking 10.92 seconds. However, the Jamaican sprinter finished second in her heat to Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, who posted the day’s fastest time of 10.87 seconds.
Richardson’s American teammates, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, both progressed to the next round. Jefferson finished second in her heat with a time of 10.96 seconds, while Terry won hers in 11.15 seconds.
The women’s 100m semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, with the highly anticipated final set to take place later the same day.
