Sha’Carri Richardson failed to advance to the finals of the 100-meter or 200-meter sprints at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, this weekend, which means she also failed to qualify for this July’s world championships, also at Hayward Field.
The 22-year-old spoke to reporters for the first time all weekend Sunday afternoon after finishing fifth in her 200 semifinal with a time of 22.47 seconds.
“I’m coming to speak, not on just on my behalf, but on all athletes’ behalf, that when you guys do interviews, y’all should respect athletes more,” Richardson said. “Y’all should understand them, coming from whether they’re winning, whether they’re losing, whatever the case may be, athletes deserve way more respect than when y’all just come and throw cameras into their faces.”
Richardson had ignored questions from reporters Thursday after failing to advance out of her preliminary heat in the 100 with a time of 11.31.
At last year’s U.S. Olympic trials, also in Eugene, she won the 100 in 10.86, but her result was vacated after she tested positive for marijuana. She also received a one-month suspension that kept her off the U.S. Olympic team for the Tokyo Games.
Three highlights from USATF Outdoor Championships
Sydney McLaughlin continues her reign
Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles Saturday, crossing the line at 51.41 seconds, besting her previous record time of 51.46 from the Tokyo Games.
“I was just going to finish the race,” McLaughlin told Lewis Johnson on NBC. “We knew anything was possible. I’m really grateful for it.”
WORLD RECORD = BROKEN 😤
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) June 25, 2022
Sydney McLaughlin runs 51.41 to break her OWN record in the women's 400m hurdles to claim the national title.@usatf | #USATFOutdoors pic.twitter.com/ebbRms7paG
Allyson Felix competes in her last U.S. championships
Allyson Felix finished sixth in the 400 on Saturday in her final national championship event before her retirement. The time meant Felix did not qualify for an individual spot at the world championships, but she is hopeful she can run in the team’s mixed-gender relay for the event.
“Happy that I don’t have any more open 400s ever,” Felix said after the race. “I went to come here and give it my all, try to get in position for a relay and was able to get that done. Can’t complain.”
Abby Steiner takes 200-meter title
Abby Steiner clocked a time of 21.77 seconds to claim first place in the 200 final Sunday. The University of Kentucky sprinter’s latest win comes after she set a collegiate record in the 200m at the NCAA track and field finals earlier this month.
Steiner’s first-place finish secures her a spot in the world championships, which kick off on July 15.
Abby Steiner is a NATIONAL CHAMPION, winning the 200m final. @usatf | #USATFOutdoors pic.twitter.com/SCnj7Khhfr
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) June 26, 2022