Ladies’s 100m: It’s Richardson’s title to lose, however Jackson might be out for revenge
The final time an American lady gained the Gold within the 100m on the Olympics was in 1996.
That’s a really very long time for a rustic that prides itself as essentially the most dominant nation in sprinting. After enjoying second fiddle to the Jamaicans within the final three Olympics, they lastly discovered a ‘savior; in Sha’Carri Richardson who can stick it as much as them and genuinely run quick and win an Olympic Gold.
So, the onus rests on Richardson to ship when it issues most. After lacking the final Olympics in Tokyo, the 24-year-old has received lots using on her shoulders. She goes into this 12 months’s Olympics because the quickest lady on the earth having run 10.71s on the US trials. Additionally, the American has put out the demons of not performing/qualifying at a serious championship when she gained the world title in opposition to all odds in Budapest final 12 months.
Richardson has had a flawless season over the 100m to this point successful all her races, and it’ll take lots from her rivals to beat her to the win in Paris.
Speaking about her rivals, one identify that comes proper off the hat is Shericka Jackson. With the reigning Olympic Champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah now obtainable to run in Paris as a result of harm, the onus lies on Jackson to push Richardson to the restrict and hold the title within the Caribbean nation. It gained’t be straightforward although.
Her season over the gap hasn’t been easy crusing, however she nonetheless has some first rate occasions to indicate for, with the most effective coming on the Jamaican trials the place she clocked 10.84s for the win. Jackson is but to win a worldwide title over the 100m and this would possibly provide her the right alternative to enact revenge on Richardson who pipped her to the world title in Budapest final 12 months.
One athlete who has been climbing up the checklist this 12 months and would possibly as properly shock the monitor world is St. Lucian’s Julien Alfred. Since her NCAA success, final 12 months and narrowing coming unstuck finally 12 months’s remaining. There’s a rising feeling amongst followers that she’s extra skilled, particularly after she gained the 60m world title in Glasgow earlier this 12 months.
Extra importantly, she continues to enhance her occasions over the gap. Alfred has run a Private Better of 10.78s this 12 months already. Absolutely it is a medal dialog starter. How she executes her rounds may even be key to which coloration of medal she is going to get.
How dare we not point out the mom queen, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce? The factor is all good issues come to an finish, ultimately. After successful three Olympic titles all through her profession, it should all come crashing down in Paris. The purist will certainly need her to bow out with one final title, however sport as we all know doesn’t work that method.
Fraser-Pryce lately withdrew from the meet in Lucerne as a result of a persistent challenge. She didn’t begin her season till June and has solely competed in Jamaica this 12 months. Over the previous 12 months, she has needed to withdraw from a number of different meets due to this downside. Her 10.77-second run within the remaining finally 12 months’s World Championships in Budapest was the final time she clocked beneath 10.8 seconds, since 2022. Perhaps a Bronze would possibly suffice for her, however that isn’t a certainty both.
Then we’ve the contenders; Ivory Coast’s Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith may have one final likelihood to get a go at choosing an Olympic medal. Her kind this 12 months hasn’t been stellar as she is but to win a serious race over the gap this 12 months. The truth is, she hasn’t dipped inside 11s this 12 months.
Rising American stars Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry impressed on the US trials, and now the strain is on them to copy their performances on the worldwide stage. Moreover, Jamaica’s Tia Clayton, who outperformed Fraser-Pryce on the Jamaican trials, seems to be her successor. She might be seeking to make her mark and go all the best way.
