All athletes who finished higher than Sha'Carri Richardson in the women's 100m Round 1 at Paris Olympics 2024 ft. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce

Sha'Carri Richardson is the world's fastest woman in 2024 and is a favorite to win the gold medal in the 100m dash at the Paris Olympics 2024. However, during the qualification rounds on August 02, the American didn't emerge as the fastest.

Richardson was placed in heat 1 of the women's 100m Round 1, and the top three finishers from each heat qualify for the next round; in this case, semifinals. Richardson won the heat easily in a time of 10.94s while the second place was taken by Patrizia van der Weken of Luxembourg in 11.14s.

Throughout seven other heats, three athletes went faster than Sha'Carri Richardson’s time of 10.94s. However, sprinters tend to preserve as much energy as possible in the early rounds, and since Richardson had nearly no competition, her time seemed slower.

3 athletes who clocked faster than Sha'Carri Richardson and can threaten her chances of gold in the finals

#3 Daryll Neita

Athletics - Wanda Diamond League London Athletics Meet - Source: Getty

Daryll Neita was slated in the heat 3 of the women's preliminary round which she won in a time of 10.919 seconds. While they are yet to face each other over the 100m this season, the British sprinter defeated Sha'Carri Richardson over the 200m.

#2 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day 7 - Athletics - Source: Getty

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce seems to be returning to her top form at the right time as the Jamaican ran a blistering 10.918 to qualify for the 100m semifinals. She was placed in heat 8 of the competition and finished second behind Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith. Fraser-Pryce is competing in her fifth and final Olympic campaign and would be itching to cap off a legendary career with a gold medal.

#1 Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith

World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 - Source: Getty

Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith is a veteran sprinter who emerged the fastest in the women's 100m round 1 at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Ivorian sprinter clocked a season-best of 10.87s to edge Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the heat 8 of the competition. The 35-year-old is also very likely participating in her last Olympic campaign and would hope to win her first Olympic medal in Paris.

What's the upcoming schedule for the next 100m races?

Following the qualifications on August 02, the women's 100m semi-finals will take place on August 03 at 1:50 p.m. EST. The finals will take place on the same day at 3:20 p.m. All of the top four qualifiers from the Round 1 including Sha'Carri Richardson are expected to qualify for the finals, and if they do, it should set up for an exciting battle.