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Meet USA Women's athletics team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Discover Team USA's women athletes ready for Paris 2024, featuring new talent and seasoned champions aiming for Olympic glory.

The Olympic track and field trials have concluded and the roster for the USA Women’s Athletics Team heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is set.

This year’s team is a powerful mix of returning champions and new faces, each ready to leave their mark on the grandest stage in sports.

Pulse Sports dives into the details of each event and the athletes representing the United States.

Marathon

The USA women’s marathon team sees a complete refresh from the last Olympics, introducing Dakotah Lindwurm, Fiona O’Keeffe, and Emily Sisson.

O’Keeffe leads this group, having clinched her spot by winning this year's Olympic marathon trials in an impressive 2:22.10.

The team looks to build on the bronze medal performance from three years ago with this new, dynamic lineup.

100m

Sha'Carri Richardson is making a much-anticipated return to the Olympics in the 100m dash after missing the previous games.

Her trial time of 10.71 seconds shows she’s back with blazing speed and ready to compete on the Olympic track.

Joining her are Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, both formidable sprinters who have proven their prowess to secure their spots in this highly competitive event.

100m Hurdles

The 100m hurdles will feature an entirely new USA trio: Masai Russell, Alaysha Johnson, and Grace Stark.

Russell dominated at the trials with a swift 12.25 seconds, while Johnson and Stark showed exceptional skill, each clocking in at 12.31 seconds.

This team replaces the previous Olympic medalists and aims to bring a new energy to the hurdles.

200m

Gabby Thomas returns to the 200m, having won a bronze in Tokyo and posting even better times since.

Alongside her are Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long, both just hundredths of a second apart at the trials, setting the stage for a strong competition in Paris.

Notably, Sha'Carri Richardson, despite high expectations, will not compete in this event after finishing fourth at the trials.

400m

Kendall Ellis, Aaliyah Butler, and Alexis Holmes are the new faces for the 400m, each having run sub-50 seconds at the trials—a benchmark not met by the previous Olympic team.

Their performances suggest that they are serious contenders for the podium in Paris.

400m Hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returns after setting a world record at the trials, clearly positioning herself as the favorite to defend her Olympic title.

She is joined by Anna Cockrell and newcomer Jasmine Jones, rounding out a team that mixes experience with fresh talent.

800m

With Athing Mu absent due to a fall at the trials, Nia Akins took the lead, winning the women's 800m in a commanding 1:57.36.

Allie Wilson and Juliette Whittaker also qualified bringing new energy to an event that saw unexpected twists during the trials.

5000m and 10,000m

Elle St. Pierre narrowly outpaced Elise Cranny in the 5000m, with Karissa Schweizer also making the team.

Schweizer and Parker Valby are waiting on world rankings to confirm their spots in the 10,000m, adding an element of suspense as they aim to compete in both distances.

Discus

Valarie Allman is set to defend her Olympic title in the discus throw, having dominated the trials with a throw of 70.73 meters.

Veronica Fraley, joining her, also showed strong form, ensuring that Team USA remains a top contender in this event.

Hammer

Annette Echikunwoke and DeAnna Price, both meeting the Olympic standard, are ready to improve upon their previous Olympic performances.

Their impressive throws at the trials indicate they are in peak form.

Heptathlon

Anna Hall, Chari Hawkins, and Taliyah Brooks are set for the heptathlon, each with their own story of redemption and debut at the Olympics.

Their diverse skills across multiple events make them versatile and formidable competitors.

High Jump

Vashti Cunningham and Rachel Glenn, both clearing the Olympic standard, aim to surpass their previous performances.

Their consistent top-three finishes at trials underscore their capabilities and medal potential.

Javelin

Maggie Malone Hardin is the sole qualifier for the javelin throw, her victory at the trials marking her as a key athlete to watch in this discipline.

Long Jump

Tara Davis-Woodhall, Jasmine Moore, and Monae' Nichols are set to represent the USA in the long jump.

Davis-Woodhall's recent silver at the world championships positions her as a favorite for gold in Paris.

Pole Vault

Bridget Williams, Katie Moon, and Brynn King, each having cleared impressive heights at the trials, are the pole vaulters heading to Paris.

Their collective performances suggest a strong potential for medal finishes.

3,000m Steeplechase

Valerie Constien, Courtney Wayment, and Marisa Howard, each having excelled at the trials, are prepared to make their mark in the steeplechase.

Their exceptional times are indicative of their strong conditioning and competitive spirit.

Shot Put

Chase Jackson, Raven Saunders, and Jaida Ross form a powerful trio in shot put.

Jackson's leading throw at the trials sets her up as a medal hopeful, while Saunders looks to add to her Tokyo silver.

Triple Jump

Jasmine Moore, Keturah Orji, and Tori Franklin are ready to challenge the distances that will be seen in Paris.

Moore's standout performance at the trials signals great potential for an impactful showing.

Sha'Carri Richardson looking to make her Olympic debut

At the very end of Sha’Carri Richardson's road to redemption lies a gold medal.

The track and field star, whose 2021 disqualification cost her a chance to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, is quickly making her way down that road as she looks to secure her spot on Team USA for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.  

"What would it mean to make it to Paris? Just literally all the training, all of the support, all of the naysayers, it pays off," Richardson told NBC. "It pays off in that moment when you realize when you made that Olympic team."

Richardson, a Dallas native, made the 2021 Olympic team after winning 100m event at the trials to qualify, but she later test positive for THC, the chemical in cannabis. She was disqualified for one month, which prevented her from competing in on sports' grandest stage during the Tokyo Games.

The Olympics went on without her.

She returned to the track at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic, finishing ninth. She returned to Olympic form nearly two years later, officially kicking off her revenge tour.

She won the 100m at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in a time of 10.82 seconds. She then claimed the title of fastest woman in the world with her 100m win at the 2023 World Athletic Championships in Budapest. She went on to kick off the Olympic year with a win at the Prefontaine Classic in a time of 10.83 seconds.

"I'm better, I'm stronger and I'm wiser," Richardson said. "I just knew that I was in a different position that I've never been in my entire life."

That soon could lead the 24-year-old to other places she has not yet been: the Olympics, and possibly the top of the podium.

Richardson is scheduled to run in her first Olympic trials preliminary on June 21 in Eugene, Oregon. 

If she qualifies for the Games, she'll look to become the first American woman to win gold in the 100 meter since Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

Richardson is back on track, literally and figuratively, and she credits her family for helping to lead her down the road to Paris.

"My family is so special to me, only for the fact that they know me, supported me and been there for me much longer than I even knew I was going to be who I was," Richardson said. "They knew who I was going to be before I even put it together."

A champions diet! Sha'Carri Richardson reveals her favorite go to meal for breakfast

Sha'Carri Richardson has shared the best meal she prefers having for breakfast mostly on race day.

Reigning world 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson has disclosed her go to breakfast meal when preparing for major races.

The world’s fastest woman in 2023 told Eating Well that she is certainly a foodie and she loves trying out different meals but she never goes back to eating what she doesn’t like.

Speaking of her typical breakfast, the American noted that it depends on timing but she spoke of her love affair with eggs on race day or any regular day.

She recently signed an ambassadorial deal with the Oikos Pro Drink and she seems to be loving it already since she emphasised that she on days when she doesn’t feel the need to have heavy breakfast, she usually goes for the drink.

“I'm a big foodie. I like to eat a little bit of everything when it comes to food. I like to try everything at once—no, I may not eat it again if I don't like it, but I'm very open to trying any type of food once before cancelling it out.

“I would say in the morning, it depends on timing and if I have time to get up and make something, but I definitely am a big fan of eggs. Eggs are something I really like to eat in the morning on race day or any regular day.

“And when I'm on the go and I don't want something too heavy starting the day, I definitely like my Oikos Pro Drink that contains 23 grams of protein.

“That is something convenient that I like to include. I'm able to drink it really quick and I do still feel like I'm putting the nutrients in my body that I can have going into practice on a day-to-day basis,” she said.

Richardson added that after training or a race, she usually prefers ice bathing or getting into a hot tub to decompress from the long day.

“I would say recovery has just been being attentive to doing my ice bathing or hot tub, as well as just decompressing from the day later on in the evening.

“It's something I like to do. I'll be talking to my family or getting in the pool doing some stretching and some abs. That’s how the day ends for me,” she said.

Speaking of her favourite snacks, the 24-year-old said: “I like dried fruits a lot, specifically dried mangoes, as well as peanuts and almonds. I keep it very light and straightforward when it comes to snacking.”

Nike responds to controversial Paris Olympics kits for Team Kenya and USA

The brains behind the Paris 2024 Olympics Nike kits have explained the reasons behind the designs that generated mixed reactions from Kenyans and Americans.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Nike kits for team Kenya and USA elicited mixed reactions from fans who were worried about the color and too much exposure among other aspects.

Nike unveiled the kits during the "On Air" event where world 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, double world record holder Faith Kipyegon among other athletes were used as models.

However, what people did not know is that Nike has been preparing for the Olympic Games for a few years (since before the pandemic). As reported by Fashionista, they were focusing on fine-tuning features like Dri-Fit and Air for even better performance, testing items over Zoom.

"You need diversity in your pool. You need a certain amount of playing hours, time and intensity in these projects, but you also need the voice of an everyday athlete," Kathy Gomez, Nike's vice president of footwear innovation told Fashionista.

“Testing is a very intimate experience, getting to know them and understanding their data but also understanding them. We do everything to make the athlete feel like they're part of the process."

She added that Nike also uses stats from the sports research labs, taking results from a group of marathoners to optimize a digital prototype for running miles on end, before creating samples.

"Data is the new design. It allows us to amplify the benefits we deliver, whether it's compression or breathability or weight," Vice President of Apparel Innovation Janett Nichol said.

“To make a garment, we don't have to cut it into several pieces and then put all those elements together. We're able to put data through a digital computational system, and everything comes out."

Speaking about basketball, Gomez added: “If you think about efficiency in basketball, it's about holding your foot in. Containment in all directions plus comfort are two things that can be opposing.

"Being able to get containment that locks you in but doesn't feel like it's too tight comes from obsessing over the details.”

Nike’s Olympics preparation is mainly focused on refinement, and some sports have offered more room for experimentation.

Meanwhile, Nike did get some backlash after "On Air” with critics sharing their opinion. In response to the former, a Nike spokesperson said there are almost 50 unique competition styles to choose from, meaning athletes won't have to compete in the skimpiest clothing if they don't want to.

"For a sport like track and field, a sprinter may have very different needs than a javelin thrower, so our collection includes a dozen competition styles fine-tuned for specific events to ensure athletes can choose outfits that match their style and personal preference without sacrificing comfort," he said.

“We also have a range of bottoms for athletes to choose from offering full to less coverage. Ultimately, the best kits ensure that athletes can perform at their best without being distracted by their apparel, helping them stay focused on the world stage."

Sha'Carri Richardson will headline the women's 100m at the Prefontaine Classic

Track superstar Sha'Carri Richardson will headline the women's 100m at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League event on 25 May at Eugene's Hayward Field.

The reigning world champion is set to make her 100m debut in the Olympic season, facing the 60m world indoor champion Julien Alfred of St. Lucia and Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d'Ivoire.

Richardson is still on the hunt for her first win of this year's Diamond League season after finishing second over 200m at the Diamond League opener in Xiamen and third seven days later in Suzhou.

Last year's Prefontaine winner, Christian Coleman, is hoping to defend his 100m title. He will face off against Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala and Jamaica's Ackeem Blake.

In the men's 200m, world silver medalist Erriyon Knighton is up against Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana.

I want a medal in Paris, warning shots fired at Sha'Carri Richardson ahead of Olympics

Another sprinter has expressed her desire to bag a medal in the 100m and 200m at the Olympic Games, firing warning shots at Sha'Carri Richardson and her track rivals.

Julien Alfred has joined the cable of female sprinters who also want a share of the Paris 2024 Olympic cake.

Alfred, a young athlete from St Lucia, wants to make a name for herself and she also wants the world to know that her nation can produce great sprinters.

The 22-year-old has expressed her desire to win a medal at the Olympic Games, something she believes would make a great difference in her career and life.

Speaking to World Athletics, Alfred said: “I don’t really pay attention to the media but I do have a lot of supporters back home who give messages to my family and they transfer to me. I definitely want a medal in Paris – a gold, silver or bronze in the 100m and 200m.”

The path to an achievement like that is, however, filled with hard work and tedious, painstaking repetition. In addition to her start, Alfred has been focusing on improving her strength and technique.

Last year, Alfred set collegiate records to win the NCAA indoor 60m title in 6.94 and the 200m in 22.01, both times putting her second on the world all-time lists.

With another dominant sprint double at the outdoor NCAA Championships last June, she won the 100m in 10.72 and 200m in 21.73, closing out a magnificent collegiate career, then signed a professional deal with Puma.

Her goal at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary was to win a medal, but she did not achieve her targets, finishing fifth in the 100m and fourth in the 200m.

She started training alongside Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith late last year and also admitted that it has been a great step for her. “It’s competitive, which makes it fun. Iron sharpens iron,” she said.

Sha'Carri Richardson shares favorite part of her holidays

Sha'Carri Richardson has shared the favorite parts of her festive season and how she is balancing it with training.

Reigning World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson has disclosed how she is spending her festive season and why she loves the holidays.

Richardson expressed her excitement about enjoying the festivities with her family and how she manages to train during the holiday period.

During an interview with NBC Olympics and Paralympics, the 23-year-old said: “For the holidays, I would definitely say it’s family time. I spend all my time with my family. Definitely still training because you know, can’t, I can’t know that.

“But the holidays are literally like thankfulness, giving and just embracing unity. I feel like that’s for me what the holidays are. And this is my only downtime too. That’s why I like the holidays because I can chill right now before the spring comes.”

The American had an amazing 2023 season, winning three medals at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and ending the season as the fastest woman in the world.

At the Hungarian capital, Richardson won the 100m gold and proceeded to win a bronze medal in the 200m. In the 4x100m relay team, she anchored her team to victory.

After having an awesome 2023 season, the athlete is now preparing for the major events coming up in 2024, with the Paris Olympic Games being at the top of the list.

Jamaican youngster Alana Reid to start training with Sha'Carri Richardson

18-year-old Alana Reid is set to become a training partner to the reigning World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson.

Reigning World Under-20 200m bronze medallist Alana Reid is set to become a training partner to the reigning World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson.

As reported by Radio Jamaica Sports, the 18-year-old will also be guided by Dennis Mitchell at the Florida-based Star Athletics Track Club ahead of the Olympic Games in 2024.

Her move just comes four months after the Jamaican, who is also the national Under-20 100m record holder, signed a multi year deal with Nike as she went professional professional.

During the time Reid was signing the deal back in June, her management team at Auctus Global Sports Management, which is jointly run by Sekou Clarke and Olympian Dwight Thomas, had revealed that the 18-year-old sprinter would continue training with her high school coach, Corey Bennett.

However, Bennett on Tuesday, October 24 confirmed via telephone to Radio Jamaica Sports that he would no longer be guiding the career of Reid who he coached to the sprint double as Hydel High won their first Girls' Champs title in March of this year.

They also noted that upon contacting Clarke on phone, he declined to comment on what had really happened.

Meanwhile, Richardson, the American, has had a great 2023 season and just at the age of 23, she has achieved, many great milestones.

The Jamaican youngster, with hard work and commitment to training, might also be the next big thing on the track.

Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles ready to blaze track at 2023 Prefontaine Classic

The 2023 Prefontaine Classic will feature star sprinters Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles competing in the 100-meter races.

Two sprinters who have been setting the world of athletics ablaze in 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, are poised to ignite the track in their respective 100m  races at this year's highly anticipated Prefontaine Classic. 

This electrifying event, which doubles as the Wanda Eugene Diamond League Final, will take place on Saturday, September 16, in the iconic city of Eugene, Oregon. 

Sha’Carri Richardson, fresh off her remarkable triumph at the 2023 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships where she secured the 100m  title, declared confidently, "I’m not back. I’m better." 

Richardson, who has been making waves both on and off the track, continued to showcase her undeniable talent by clinching gold in the 100m  and 4x100m relay, as well as a bronze in the 200m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

 With two World Championship titles under her belt, Richardson is now poised to extend her reign of success at the upcoming Prefontaine Classic.

On the other side of the sprinting spectrum, Noah Lyles is a force to be reckoned with. Fresh from a sensational performance at the World Athletics Championships, where he clinched gold medals in the 100m , 200m, and 4x100m relay events, Lyles is now setting his sights on a new accolade. 

While he has already amassed four Wanda Diamond League Champion trophies in the 200m category, spanning the years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022, Lyles is hungry for his first-ever 100m title at the Diamond League Final.

 His wind-legal personal best of 9.83 seconds this season has earned him the coveted top spot in the global rankings for the event, making him a formidable contender in the world of sprinting.

Fans can expect an evening of high-speed drama, record-breaking potential, and nail-biting competition as Richardson and Lyles go head to head in the 100-meter races.

The Prefontaine Classic is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 PM East Africa time on Saturday September 16.

Sha'Carri Richardson gets ready for upcoming World Athletics Championships

Sha'Carri Richardson took to social media to announce that she was all set to compete in her next race at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, to be held in Budapest next month.

"My first real season and I'm loving the process of learning myself, pushing myself as well as knowing when to be still", she wrote.

"Budapest UP NEXT", she added. 

The 23-year-old won at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on July 16, where she ran a thrilling dash of 100m in 10.76 seconds. This came after her splendid win at the USATF Outdoor Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on July 7, where Richardson completed the race in 10.71 seconds.

The 2023 World Athletics Championships to be held in Budapest will have a star-studded line-up. Along with Sherika Jackson, Sha'Carri Richardson will also be competing with the top Jamaican sprinter, Elaine Thompson, who has won the Olympic gold medal five times, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who has three Olympic gold medals to her name so far.

The face-off between the American and the Jamaican athletes would hence be a show to watch for in Budapest, Hungary.

Sha'Carri Richardson shows support to Tobi Amusan on alleged doping violation case

Sprints sensation Sha'Carri Richardson voiced her opinion on Tobi Amusan's alleged doping violation case.

US champion and sprints sensation Sha'Carri Richardson has shown her support to Tobi Amusan on the Nigerian's alleged doping violations case.

Amusan became a topic of online discussion when she released a statement on her Instagram page that she had been charged with an alleged doping violation rule by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

In the statement, Amusan said the AIU had charged her for missing three tests in the space of 12 months, which is a doping violation that has now led the AIU to provisionally suspend her until the case is cleared.

Richardson will later show her support to Amusan by posting pictures of the women's 100m Hurdles World Record (WR) on her Instagram stories, and one of the captions reading:

"If you don't know which a lot of y'all do not, SHUT UP," wrote Richardson.

Amusan stated that she will have her charge decided by a tribunal of three arbitrators before the start of next month's World Championships in Budapest.

Sha'Carri Richardson nominated for BET Sportswoman of the Year Award

Track and Field has two representatives as Sha'Carri Richardson and Allyson Felix have been nominated for 2023 BET Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Sha'Carri Richardson's continued relevance in sports and entertainment isn't stopping anytime soon, as she has been nominated for the BET Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Richardson is a nominee alongside prominent sports personalities such as Serena Williams and Allyson Felix. Others nominated are Alexis Morris, Angel Reese, Candace Parker, and Naomi Osaka, who are all worthy of winning the award.

It's the second consecutive year Richardson will be in the nominee list, as she lost to Osaka in 2022.

Richardson has an unbeaten record in the 100m this year and has a world-leading time of 10.76s. She has clocked the fastest times this season, both legal and wind-aided, making her a favourite to win the US title in a few weeks.

Her last race at the Star Athletics Speed Series saw her win the 100m final in an effortless windy 10.73s (2.6), which speaks volumes of being the most in-form female sprinter in the world this year.

U.S. track star Sha'Carri Richardson removed from American Airlines flight

A  fellow passenger is heard sarcastically thanking Richardson, blaming her for missing his connecting flight, and arguments commence between Richardson, the airline staff, and fellow passengers, although much of it is unclear.

Someone approaches Richardson and informs her that she’s being asked to leave the plane. When she asks why, the person responds, “The captain wants you off the plane.” “Does the captain know the situation that happened before removing me?” Richardson says.

Richardson asks to speak to the captain and asks if the flight attendant she argued with will be removed from the plane as well. Clapping is heard on the video as Richardson starts to get off the plane.

Richardson gained fame when she qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 and then was subsequently suspended for one month after testing positive for THC, the chemical in cannabis, according to the ADA.

In a statement, an American Airlines spokesperson said, “We re-accommodated the customer on a later flight and a member of our team has reached out to learn more.” A representative for Richardson also shared a statement withNBC News, saying Richardson “has nothing to add at this time.”

Dallas native and U.S. track star Sha’Carri Richardson, 22, was removed from an American Airlines flight on Saturday after an argument with a flight attendant, NBC News reported.

Richardson posted a series of videos on social media on Saturday, saying the flight attendant asked her to end a phone call and that she did so, but didn’t like the tone he used with her. It is unclear where Richardson was headed, but she shares in her post that the trip was a vacation.

“I definitely would have listened to instructions but the way he was talking to me was very unprofessional and then his hands were all in my face,” Richardson says in the video.

Elaine Thompson-Herah and Sha'Carri Richardson will headline 100 meters in Prefontaine Classic

Jamaica's Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and American prodigy Sha'Carri Richardson will headline the 100 meters at Saturday's Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, organizers for the Diamond League event said on Monday.

Thompson-Herah returns to the venue where she nearly broke American Florence Griffith-Joyner's 100m record last year, weeks after leading a Jamaican podium sweep at the Tokyo Games.

She dropped out of the Birmingham Diamond League meet over the weekend citing discomfort in training. Thompson-Herah's management agency did not respond to a request for comment.

Richardson's memories of Hayward Field are more complicated.

She was the United States' brightest hope for a gold medal in Tokyo after winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in June but lost her spot at the Games after testing positive for cannabis.

Richardson, 22, returned to Eugene in August after serving a 30-day suspension, where she finished last in the 100m.

Rounding out the field on Saturday are Britain's 200 meters world champion Dina Asher-Smith and Shericka Jackson, who won gold in the 4x100m relay alongside Thompson-Herah in Tokyo.

Sha'Carri Richardson documentary airs at Sundance Film Festival

One of the most polarizing figures in track and field throughout the past two years, Sha’Carri Richardson, has been featured in a documentary about her journey. The 24-minute film, entitled Sub Eleven Seconds, follows Richardson in the lead-up to the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials.

The documentary is produced by the late American fashion “OFF-WHITE” icon Virgil Abloh, who died in late 2021 from cancer. The film premiered online at Sundance 2022, which ran from Jan. 20-30.

Richardson made headlines last summer after qualifying for the Olympic Games at U.S. trials, but was later disqualified when it was discovered she had used marijuana; the athlete said it wasn’t a regular habit, but that she had used it to cope with the recent passing of her mother. Her disqualification sparked plenty of debate and outrage among media outlets, athletes and celebrities.

The sprinter returned to Eugene to compete at the Diamond League after missing the Olympics due to her one-month ban. In a race that brought the second-fastest women’s 100m time ever by Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, Richardson finished last.

Heading into a year with two major U.S. international competitions (the World Indoor Championships in March and the world championships in Eugene in July), Richardson has not announced when she will return in 2022.

Sifan Hassan will headline classy Brussels Diamond League field

Dutch all-rounder Sifan Hassan, who won two golds and a bronze in an unprecedented effort at a distance treble at the Tokyo Olympics, heads up a talent-loaded field at the penultimate meeting of the 2021 Diamond League series in Brussels on Friday.

In the last event before the two-day Diamond League finals in Zurich on September 8-9, the men's 100m featuring Tokyo silver medallist Fred Kerley of the US will also be a highlight.

Kerley will be up against compatriots Trayvon Bromell, Michael Norman and Ronnie Baker, along with Canada's Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse.

Kerley, fresh from a personal best of 19.79sec in the 200m in Paris last week, said: "I've got a lot of confidence in my current form and want to show what I've got in the upcoming weeks.

"My goal is very clear: I want to be the fastest man in the 100m, 200m and the 400m."

Kerley joined an exclusive club this year of sprinters who have broken 10 seconds in the 100m, 20 seconds in the 200m and 44 seconds in the 400m. Only Norman and South African Wayde van Niekerk have also achieved the feat.

"I want to be the best at all three distances. What makes someone the best, maybe a world record? I know I have got the potential to break the 400m record.

"I want to be a legend, like Usain Bolt. I see him as a big brother. To me he will always have a spot on the podium of the greatest of all time, he is a big example."

Hassan will race the mile at the King Baudouin Stadium, a venue she knows well, having broken the one-hour world record there last year.

The Ethiopian-born Dutch runner is also the world record holder in the mile and, given her sparkling form, it would take a brave person to bet against her winning once again.

The women's 200m is packed full of quality, with Tokyo bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, Olympic finalist Marie-Josee Ta Lou and a handful of sprinters who have a point to prove after Olympic disappointment this summer.

Outspoken American Sha'Carri Richardson missed out on a trip to Tokyo after being handed a one-month ban after testing positive for cannabis while Britain's Dina Asher-Smith was forced to pull out through injury.

Christine Mboma, the 18-year-old Namibian who is barred from running events between 400m and the mile because of her high testosterone levels, won a surprise silver in the 200m in Tokyo and will likely be a strong contender in Brussels.

Having rebounded from a disappointing outing at Lausanne with an emphatic win in Paris, Olympic pole vault champion Armand "Mondo" Duplantis is likely to again attempt to better his own world record of 6.18m.

Sha'Carri Richardson to make track return at Prefontaine Classic

Sha'Carri Richardson will make her return to competitive athletics action on Saturday (August 21) at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

The American is back after serving a one-month suspension handed to her when she tested positive for a cannabinoid at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, where she had originally won the women's 100m race.

Her return will pit the world's third-fastest woman this year against the three Olympic medalists from Tokyo – Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, all from Jamaica.

On July 1, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that Richardson had accepted being suspended for "for an anti-doping rule violation for testing positive for a substance of abuse", having previously received a provisional ban on 28 June.

While competing at the Trials, Richardson provided a sample on 19 June that returned a positive test for a chemical found in marijuana, THC.

THC is a banned substance in-competition, although it is not prohibited out of competition, under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules which classify it as a substance of abuse.

Although Richardson consumed the drug out of competition, she returned an in-competition positive and was therefore sanctioned under USADA's own regulations, which state: "If an athlete tests positive for a substance of abuse during an in-competition test, but the athlete can establish that they used the substance out-of-competition and that their use of the substance was unrelated to sport performance, then the athlete’s period of ineligibility will be reduced to three months with no need to further analyse the degree of fault."

USADA added in handing out a one-month suspension: "Richardson’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because her use of cannabis occurred out of competition and was unrelated to sport performance, and because she successfully completed a counselling program regarding her use of cannabis."

The sanction meant her qualifying results at the trials were expunged.

Her suspension ended before the start of the athletics program at Tokyo 2020, but as USA Track & Field (USATF) selects its Olympic team based solely on results at Trials, Richardson was not considered for selection in either the 100m or 4x100m relay.

In Eugene, which was also the site of the U.S. Trials where Richardson had run 10.86 in the final, she and the three Tokyo 2020 medallists headline a world-class field in the women's 100m.

That start-list includes Tokyo relay silver medallists Teahna Daniels and Javianne Oliver of the USA and two other 100m finalists Switzerland's Mujinga Kambundji (6th) and Marie-Josée Ta Lou (4th) of Côte d'Ivoire. Briana Williams, the fourth member of the Jamaican 4x100m gold-winning relay team, completes the lineup.

Richardson ran a 10.72 at the Miramar Invitational in Florida in April, a time that made the 21-year-old the sixth-fastest woman ever over 100m and, at the time the world leader in 2021.

Since then this year, only two other women have gone faster – Richardson is surpassed by Fraser-Pryce (10.63 in June) and Thompson-Herah's Olympic record 10.61.

The clash between the young American talent and the Olympic medallists is tantalising after they were unable to race each other in Tokyo.

Indeed, the five fastest women this year will all be competing in the race – Jackson and Ta Lou are fourth and fifth respectively.

Richardson's last international 100m race was at a rainy Gateshead Diamond League in England in May, when she finished second in 11.44 seconds into a very strong headwind (-3.1 m/s). Earlier that month, the Texan sprinter also overcame a headwind to clock a rapid 10.77 (-1.2 m/s) at the USATF Golden Games.

The American is also down to race the women's 200m against the likes of Kambundji, Ta Lou, Olympic bronze medallist Gabrielle Thomas, relay silver medallist Jenna Prandini, world champion Dina Asher-Smith, and American track legend Allyson Felix.

Ban on cannabis, should be reviewed says World Athletics president Seb Coe

The rules on the use of cannabis by athletes should be reviewed, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has said in the wake of the case that meant Sha'Carri Richardson, winner of the women’s 100 meters at the US Olympic trials, missing Tokyo 2020.

Richardson accepted a 30-day ban, and the qualifying results she achieved were annulled, after she tested positive for the banned recreational drug during the trials.

The 21-year-old said she had been under emotional stress after learning of the recent death of her biological mother.

In response to questions on the issue, Coe has said a review is now sensible and "it should be" done, Reuters reports.

Coe added: "I am sorry for her that we have lost an outstanding talent [from the Olympic Games]", but said that existing rules were interpreted correctly.

The World Athletics President said he had asked the independent Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to work with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on reassessing marijuana’s place on the prohibited list.

Coe, who believes the matter is a question for experts at the AIU and the WADA to determine, said Richardson’s absence was "a loss to the competition" but predicted "she will bounce back".

The 2021 World Anti-Doping Code classifies tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana, and hashish, as a "Substance of Abuse".

Athletes found to use it outside of competition face a three-month ban, although in this case the United States Anti-Doping Agency banned Richardson for 30 days as long as she also undertook a treatment programme.

Discussion on this matter is not expected to take place during the World Athletics Council’s two-day meeting that starts tomorrow before the Olympic track and field programme begins on Friday (July 30) - at least officially.

What will be under consideration is a determination of the hosts for the 2023 World Athletics Relays, held this year in Poland, the newly-established 2023 World Road Running Championships, and next year’s World Race Walking Team Championships, where a replacement is being sought for original host Minsk.

World Athletics cited "uncertainties around diplomatic relations and international travel restrictions with regard to Belarus" when stripping Minsk of hosting rights earlier this year, with protests continuing after the controversial re-election Alexander Lukashenko as the country’s President last August and many nations imposing sanctions on Belarus.

There will also be a report from World Athletics' Russia Taskforce at the Council meeting.

Day two of the meeting is understood to involve commission and working group reports.

Sha'Carri Richardson set to return in Diamond League Prefontaine Classic

American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson will run the 100 and 200 metres in the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic after completing a one-month ban.

Richardson, 21, was a favourite for the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics but tested positive for cannabis at last month's US Track & Field trials.

She was prevented from running in the 100m at the Games, and USA Track & Field (USATF) later declined to include her in the relay.

Richardson's ban ends on 28 July.

"I'm looking forward to running fast and putting on a show," she said.

Richardson's ban has reignited fierce debate over the use of cannabis in sport, with the White House reportedly seeking a meeting with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) to discuss rules regarding the banned substance.

The sprinter explained she had taken it as a way of coping after learning about the death of her biological mother, and US anti-doping authorities said in her case if had been a "substance of abuse" rather than for enhancing performance.

The Prefontaine Classic runs from August 20-21 at Eugene's Hayward Field, kicking off the Diamond League's post-Olympic series of events.

Sha'Carri Richardson tests positive for marijuana and will miss the Olympics 100m

American champion Sha'Carri Richardson cannot run in the Olympic 100-meter race after testing positive for a chemical found in marijuana.

Richardson, who won the 100 at Olympic trials in 10.86 seconds on June 19, told of her ban Friday on the "Today Show." She tested positive at the Olympic trials and so her result is erased. Fourth-place finisher Jenna Prandini is expected to get Richardson's spot in the 100.

Richardson accepted a 30-day suspension that ends July 27, which would be in time to run in the women's relays. USA Track and Field has not disclosed plans for the relay.

The 21-year-old sprinter was expected to face Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in one of the most highly anticipated races of the Olympic track meet.

On Thursday, as reports swirled about her possible marijuana use, Richardson put out a tweet that said, simply: "I am human." On Friday, she went on TV and said she smoked marijuana as a way of coping with her mother's recent death.

"I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by badness, and hurting, and hiding hurt," she said on "Today." "I know I can't hide myself, so in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain."

Richardson had what could have been a three-month sanction reduced to one month because she participated in a counseling program.

After the London Olympics, international regulators relaxed the threshold for what constitutes a positive test for marijuana from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 150 ng/m. They explained the new threshold was an attempt to ensure that in-competition use is detected and not use during the days and weeks before competition.

'Devastating for everyone involved'

Though there have been wide-ranging debates about whether marijuana should be considered a performance-enhancing drug, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency makes clear on its website that "all synthetic and naturally occurring cannabinoids are prohibited in-competition, except for cannabidiol (CBD)," a byproduct that is being explored for possible medical benefits.

While not weighing in on her prospects for the relays, USATF put out a statement that said her "situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved."

Richardson said if she's allowed to run in the relay "I'm grateful, but if not, I'm just going to focus on myself."

Her case is the latest in a number of doping-related embarrassments for U.S. track team. Among those banned for the Olympics are the reigning world champion at 100 meters, Christian Coleman, who is serving a suspension for missing tests, and the American record holder at 1,500 and 5,000 meters, Shelby Houlihan, who tested positive for a performance enhancer she blamed on tainted meat in a burrito.

Now, Richardson is out, as well, denying the Olympics of a much-hyped race and an electric personality. Richardson raced with flowing orange hair at the trials and long fingernails.

"To put on a face and go out in front of the world and hide my pain, who am I to tell you how to cope when you're dealing with pain and struggles you've never had to experience before?" Richardson said.

Fraser-Pryce blazes 10.63 100m to go No.2 all-time in Kingston

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has become the second-fastest female 100m sprinter in history with a sensational 10.63 (1.3m/s) run in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday (5).

Racing at the aptly-named JOA/JAAA Olympic Destiny Series meeting, Jamaica's two-time Olympic and nine-time world gold medallist further proved her intention to add another title to that tally in Tokyo later this year. Powering out of the blocks, the 34-year-old made it look easy as she hit top speed and surged away from her rivals to run hard through the line before clapping and raising her arms in celebration.

The fastest time in almost 33 years, only Florence Griffith Joyner has ever gone quicker with her world record of 10.49 and runs of 10.61 and 10.62, also achieved in 1988.

"When the hard work finally pays off!" Fraser-Pryce wrote on social media after the race. "So much accomplished, yet so much more to go."

Behind Fraser-Pryce was Natasha Morrison who finished second in 10.95.

The competition was Fraser-Pryce’s third this season and it followed the 10.84 she ran to win at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha as she works towards Tokyo, where she will aim for a third Olympic gold after her 100m wins in 2008 and 2012. Her incredible CV also includes four 100m titles as part of her world championships haul, with her most recent claimed in Doha in 2019 following the birth of her son Zyon in 2017, with Fraser-Pryce having gone into labour while watching the world 100m final that year.

The day before the race in Kingston, she had posted an update on social media which read: "'Mommy' is the best title I could have ever earned."

Fraser-Pryce’s previous best had been 10.70 from 2012, a Jamaican record time which Elaine Thompson-Herah equalled in 2016.

Her performance at the Olympic Destiny Series meeting launches her to the top of the world rankings ahead of the USA's Sha'Carri Richardson, who ran 10.72 in April, and Thompson-Herah, who clocked 10.78 at the start of May.

Also in Kingston, world champion Tajay Gayle jumped a wind-assisted 8.56m (2.5m/s) to win the long jump, while O'Dayne Richards won the shot put with a 19.49m throw.

Others to triumph included Janieve Russell in the 400m hurdles (54.88) and Stephenie Ann McPherson in the 400m (51.06).