“Every time I touch the track it's pressure” - Sha'Carri Richardson weighs in on dominating 200m heat at the U.S Olympic Track and Field Trials

Sha'Carri Richardson has just set the track ablaze at the U.S Olympic Track and Field Trials once again, clocking a 21.99 in her 200m heat. This came after the American won the 100m trials to assure herself of a berth in the discipline at the Paris Olympics.

Richardson entered the 200m heats as a favorite to the top spot, competing against the likes of Abby Steiner and Tamari Davis. Taking to the track at the Hayward Field, the American was placed in lane six.

She didn't disappoint, clocking 21.99 seconds to top her heat and the overall rankings for the day. Richardson was the only sprinter to dip below the 22-second mark, as Gabby Thomas finished second behind her with a timing of 22.11.

After the race, Sha'Carri Richardson spoke to NBC’s Lewis Johnson about her performance, emphasizing that her focus in the 200m distance at the moment was mastering the curve.

“My biggest thing right now is execution. So really just focusing in on executing the curve, to make the straight much, much easier. I feel like today in the prelim I did excellent, but I know I have room for improvement, so I'm just excited for the semis tomorrow.”

Johnson then went on to ask Richardson if the pressure was lesser for her in the 200m, given that she's already assured herself of a berth at the Paris Olympics after winning the 100m crown. To this the sprinter replied in the negative, saying,

“Absolutely not. I feel like any time I touch the track, Olympic Trials, in Claremont, LA, every time I touch the track, it's an opportunity for me to work on being my best self, so every time I touch the track it's pressure.”

Sha'Carri Richardson then went on to acknowledge the crowd's loud support for her, calling the experience ‘phenomenal’.

“It's amazing, it's a phenomenal feeling. I feel as if they (the audience) sense growth, they send you love, they also send the responsibility that I know I have when it comes to my talent as well as my sport. I'm so excited for the love, I hope it continues to grow, as the roar grows, I grow with it.”

When will Sha'Carri Richardson race next at the U.S Olympic Trials?

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - Day 7

After acing her 200m prelims at the U.S Olympic Track and Field Trials, Sha'Carri Richardson will be back in action in Eugene very soon.

On Friday, June 28, the World Champion will take to the Hayward Field for her semifinals in the distance at 7:06 PM. If everything goes to plan in the semis, Richardson should be back out on the track on Saturday for the 200m finals, which is scheduled for 5:27 PM.

Joining the 24-year-old in the semis will be Gabby Thomas, Abby Steiner, Brittany Brown, Anavia Battle, Jenna Prandini, and more. Fan outside of Eugene excited to keep up with Richardson's progress at the Trials can tune in to NBC, NBC's Peacock, or the USA Network.