(Reuters) – Sha’Carri Richardson advanced to the women’s 100 metres final at the U.S. Olympic trials on Saturday, taking one more step toward the Paris Games as she won her semi-final heat in 10.86 seconds in Eugene, Oregon.
Richardson did not get the start she hoped for but took control after the halfway point and accelerated through the final metres to finish 0.13 ahead of Tamari Davis, while Anavia Battle finished third in 11.09.
The world champion will compete in the final later on Saturday, three years after a positive test for cannabis brought her Tokyo Olympic dream crashing down.
She is also entered to compete in the 200 metres, with the opening heats for the longer sprint set for Thursday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by William Mallard)
