Welcome to the Olympics, Sha’Carri Richardson.
The 24-year-old Team USA sprinter blew by her competition to win the opening-round heat of the women’s 100m in her Olympics debut on Friday.
Richardson, who is the Olympic gold favorite in the event, finished with a time of 10.94 seconds on the new purple track at the Stade de France.
Patrizia van der Weken of Luxembourg was second with a time of 11.14.
Richardson sustained a solid lead from her opponents halfway through the 100m Heat.
Richardson is the reigning world champion in the event after her 10.71-second sprint at the U.S. trials last month was the fastest time by any woman in the world this year.
She did not qualify in the 200-meter race at the trials.
“To be at the Olympics is a phenomenal feeling,” Richardson said in an interview with NBC after Friday’s race. “To be an athlete here, competing with the energy here with a great appreciation for track and field… I’m super excited and eager to compete on the Olympics stage.”
Richardson made her Olympics debut in style.
The Dallas native showed off her colorful manicure — a staple for Richardson during competition — when she raised her hands and flashed a smile at the finish line.
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Richardson’s long-awaited Olympics debut came after she qualified for Tokyo in 2021 with the fastest 100m women’s time at the U.S. trials — but never made it to Japan.
She was suspended for testing positive for THC (cannabis), a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.
Richardson will compete in Saturday’s semifinals at 1:50 p.m.
Should she advance to final round later that day at 3:20 p.m., Richardson will compete for an individual Olympic gold medal.