The first half of the United States Track & Field Olympic Trials got off to a fast start. Celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Colin Kaepernick attended the trials, cheering on the competitors and promoting the sport on NBC.
Each day of competition was fraught with emotion, excitement, and, unfortunately, disappointments. Although some fans’ top predictions will not be coming to Paris, watchers may be confident that the athletes picked to represent Team USA are prepared to compete for track and field’s highest honors.
Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles win the 100-meter in the US Olympic Trials
Sha’Carri Richardson may now add “U.S. Olympic Trials 100-meter champion” to her resume. Richardson recorded one of her season’s quickest times in the opening round of the 100-meter race. Her 10.88-second performance was even more amazing considering she slipped out of the blocks and her shoe was undone. Her training companions, Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry and Melissa Jefferson, both world champions, finished the work and proceeded to the semi-finals alongside Richardson.
Richardson, Jefferson, and Terry advanced from the semi-finals to the final race, which determined which three women would travel to Paris. In the final, Jefferson flew through the opening half of the race, seizing control early. Richardson is best renowned for her impenetrable peak speed, which she exploited to follow down her buddy. All eyes were on the finish line as supporters waited to learn who had secured the third Olympic spot. Terry beat Tamari Davis, the fourth-place finisher, by two hundredths of a second, securing her ticket to Paris.
The three training partners cheered when they heard their entire group would travel to Paris. The architect behind this sweep is famed coach Dennis Mitchell, who has won gold, silver, and bronze Olympic titles. Mitchell is the head coach at the Star Athletics training facility in Clermont, Florida.
After the women’s 100-meter race, the men began their Olympic quest. During the preliminary rounds, Noah Lyles set the fastest qualifying time. Kenny Bednarek and Christian Coleman, two of the favorites going into the trials, came in second and third.
Five men raced under 9.90 seconds in the semifinals, making the final one of the week’s most difficult races. Lyles, Bednarek, and Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley were the three guys who refused to succumb to the pressure.
Lyles, like Richardson, is noted for his high-end speed. Despite Bednarek’s lead for the majority of the race, Lyles was unstoppable and won. Bednarek placed second with a massive personal best, demonstrating the versatility of the 200-meter Olympic silver champion. Bednarek was the fourth Star Athletics athlete to make the team that day.
Kerley has not competed the 100 meters this season for a variety of reasons. He knew it would be a struggle, but he let his expertise and experience speak for themselves. Kerley finished third despite an unusual season and will try to podium again in Paris.
One notable absence from this three is the famed Coleman, who many fans predict to win the trials.
Coleman, although not competing as an individual, has a good chance of making Team USA. He may be selected for the 4×100-meter relay pool based on his fourth-place finish and participation in practically every international and Olympic relay since 2016. Coleman has the best start of any man currently in the United States. His speed and experience will be critical for the USA as they seek their first gold medal in this relay since 2000.
