Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas in 200 final

Richardson is hoping to qualify for her second event after winning the 100 meters in 10.71 seconds last week. The U.S. Olympic track and field title is a remarkable return to prominence for Richardson, who thrilled track fans at the 2021 games before suffering a stunning fall when she was suspended after testing positive for THC. She missed the Tokyo Games and has been blunt about her struggles before and after that catastrophic event, saying that everything she went through allowed her to bounce back. She’s clearly enjoying running this season.

Asked what it would mean to go to Paris for two events, Richardson said: “It would show that divine timing is everything. And what’s meant to happen will happen and nothing will stop it. And I’ll feel like it’s my responsibility … to go to Paris and bring back those medals.”

Thomas is now the reigning bronze medalist in the 200 meters. She also won silver in the 4×100 meter relay in Tokyo.

Thomas is also a fan favorite in the athletics world, in part because of her unconventional college choice. She attended Harvard from 2015 to 2018 and turned pro before starting her final season of college. She tends to perform well in this stadium, having set personal bests in both the 100 and 200 in previous meets in Eugene.