Sha’Carri cruises through the first round of first ever Olympic race, winning the 100m in 10.94 seconds

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Sha’Carri Richardson breezed through the first round of the 100-meter dash Friday, winning her first Olympic event with a time of 10.94 seconds and simply qualifying for the semifinals.

The American, wearing brilliant green shoes that contrasted well with the light purple track, won the first of eight first-round races on the opening day of competition at a packed Stade de France.

All the top contenders also made it through, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, a two-time champion in the event who’s competing in her fifth and final Olympics. Fraser-Pryce ran the distance in 10.92 but finished second to Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, who won the fastest race of the day in 10.87.

Richardson’s American training partners, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, also advanced.

In contrast to the Olympic qualifiers earlier this month, Richardson had a solid start, bursting out of the starting blocks and quickly getting back on her feet before shifting into a better gear and confidently sprinting to the finish line, slamming her hands against her chest as she crossed the line.

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On Saturday evening she’s going to compete in the semi-finals and if she manages to achieve them, she’s going to fight for gold just a few hours later.

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen advance

The riders in what was arguably the best competition on the track remained on a collision course, with Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen advancing through their first heats in the 1500.

They will race again on Sunday, with the final scheduled for Tuesday.

Ukraine’s best high jumper moves on

World champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine jumped just twice, clearing 1.95 metres on her second attempt, which was enough for her to advance to Sunday evening’s final with none problems.

There were no major surprises. Eleanor Patterson of Australia, the 2022 world champion, also advanced, as did American Vashti Cunningham, although she did so with a rating of 1.92 after failing to achieve 1.95 3 times.