American track and field athlete
The 2024 Paris Olympics have commenced, featuring athletes across 32 sports. Among the competitors, numerous Black athletes are making significant strides and aiming for victory. Here are key events and athletes to watch during this 19-day spectacle.
Track and Field – Women:
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2023 World Champion, is on a quest for redemption in her first Olympic appearance. Previously barred from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to a positive drug test after winning the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials, Richardson admitted to using marijuana to cope with her mother’s death. Now, having reclaimed her title as the U.S. Olympic trials 100-meter dash champion, she is set to vie for gold in Paris.
Richardson’s journey is notable not just for her personal comeback but also for her historic accomplishment with training partners Melissa Jefferson and TeeTee Terry. Together, they became the first female training group to sweep an event at an Olympic trial meet. Coached by Dennis Mitchell, they aim to replicate their success in Paris, following in the footsteps of Jamaican coach Glen Mills, who led Usain Bolt and his team to a similar triumph in the 200-meter dash at the 2012 London Olympics.
Key Events:
• 100-Meter Dash:
• Begins: Aug. 2 at 4:35 a.m. EST
• Final: Aug. 3 at 3:20 p.m. EST
• 200-Meter Dash:
• Begins: Aug. 4 at 4:55 a.m. EST
• Final: Aug. 6 at 3:40 p.m. EST
As the 2024 Paris Olympics unfold, these athletes exemplify resilience and excellence. Keep an eye on these competitors as they strive for Olympic glory.
