Sha'Carri Richardson looked destined for a coronation when she made her walk onto the Hayward Field track on Saturday night for the 200m final at the Olympic trials.
Things don't always turn out as they're planned, however — especially not when Gabby Thomas is your opponent.
Thomas outpaced her longtime rival, posting a blistering 21.81s time to punch her ticket into Paris. Richardson finished a distant fourth, clocking in with a time of 22.16s, well off the pace during the opening few heats of the event.
Thomas was always going to be a formidable foe for Richardson. At the 2023 World Championships, Richardson took home the gold in the 200m. Thomas was right behind her, ending the competition with a silver medal for her efforts.
She looked even better on clay this time around, nabbing pole position after recording a blazing 21.78s display in the semis.
Richardson looked sluggish by comparison. The fervent strides she perfected during the 100m gave way ever so slightly. Although she huffed and puffed, it just wasn't enough to nab a spot in the French capital.
Joining Thomas in Paris are Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long. The pair weren't quite able to match Thomas' pace stride-for-stride. Nevertheless, the three were deserving of their places. After all, they were the only three runners in their group to go sub-22s.
Richardson will have to settle for spots in the 100m and 4x100m relay. That's not a terrible consolation prize.
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Richardson's 200m final run at this year's Olympic track and field trials. Follow below to see the highlights and results of one of the biggest races in the American track calendar, one which Thomas dazzled in.
Women's 200-meter final results
| Place | Runner | Time |
| 1 | Gabby Thomas | 21.81 |
| 2 | Brittany Brown | 21.90 |
| 3 | McKenzie Long | 21.91 |
| 4 | Sha'Carri Richardson | 22.16 |
| 5 | Tamara Clark | 22.20 |
| 6 | Abby Steiner | 22.24 |
| 7 | Jenna Prandini | 22.58 |
| 8 | Jadyn Mays | 22.60 |
USA Olympic track and field trials live updates, highlights from women's 200-meter dash
(All times Eastern)
8:31 p.m.: Joining Thomas in Paris will be Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long!
8:29 p.m.: Thomas paces out in front, outlasting Richardson and the rest of her contenders to take top billing! Richardson falls out of the top-three entirely!
8:27 p.m.: Richardson and Thomas receive some huge applause as they line up ahead of their respective starting blocks.
8:26 p.m.: Richardson trotted onto the line during yesterday's semifinal. If she does so again, her score will be nixed.
8:20 p.m.: We're inching closer and closer to tonight's big race.For a reminder, Richardson posted a 21.91 time to qualify for the finals. Thomas, by comparison, clocked in at a 21.78.
7:45 p.m.: A compelling contest between Richardson and Gabby Thomas — runner-up to Richardson in the 2023 World Championship — precedes us. Richardson will be in Lane 6, while Thomas will take her strides in Lane 8.
How to watch USA Olympic track and field trials
- Start time: 8:27 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
The women's 200m final is slated to kick off around 8:27 p.m. ET.
NBC will broadcast coverage of the track and field trials from 8-10 p.m. ET, including the women's 200m final. NBC's coverage can be live streamed with Peacock or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
USA Olympic track and field trials schedule today
Saturday, June 29
| Time (ET) | Event | Gender | Round |
| 10:30 a.m. | 20km Race Walk | Men's | Final |
| 10:31 a.m. | 20km Race Walk | Women's | Final |
| 7:30 p.m. | Discus Throw | Men's | Final |
| 8:04 p.m. | 100m Hurdles | Women's | SF |
| 8:20 p.m. | Long Jump | Women's | Final |
| 8:27 p.m. | 200m | Women's | Final |
| 8:41 p.m. | 400m Hurdles | Women's | SF |
| 8:50 p.m. | Shot Put | Women's | Final |
| 9:09 p.m. | 10,000m | Women's | Final |
| 9:49 p.m. | 200m | Men's | Final |
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