EUGENE, Ore. — The U.S. Olympic track and field trials have reached their halfway point. After four days of intense competition, the action on the track and field will take a two-day break. The trials resume Thursday.
But the first four days were filled with athletes earning their spots on the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics.
Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100 meter title. Noah Lyles confirmed he was the fastest man in America and Ryan Crouser added the greatest shot putter of all time to his CV.
USA TODAY Sports highlights the winners and losers from the first four days of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials:
WINNERS
Sha’Carri Richardson
Richardson ran a season-best 10.71 to win the 100. Richardson remained undefeated throughout the rounds. In the final, her acceleration and finish propelled her ahead of the other sprinters as she crossed the finish line about a meter ahead of everyone.
Richardson coach Dennis Mitchell also deserves credit. Mitchell coaches Richardson, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry. All three women swept the 100, taking first, second and third place to earn a trip to Paris.
Richardson will head to Paris as the early favorite for the world’s fastest woman crown. It’s been almost 30 years since an American woman won an Olympic gold medal in the 100m. Gail Devers is the last American to reach the Olympic podium in the 100m. She did so in 1996.
Noah Lyles
There’s no sprinter having more fun than Lyles right now. Lyles and his family had the chance to spend time with Snoop Dogg before the 100m final, and then the sprinter ran a blistering 9.83 to win the 100m. His time tied a personal best.
The 100 isn’t even Lyles’ strongest event. The 200m is Lyles’ best event. He will be the big favorite in the 200m once that competition begins on Thursday.
An American hasn’t won an Olympic gold medal in the 100m since Justin Gatlin in 2004. Lyles has a good chance of ending that streak.
Quincy Wilson
Wilson was a winner in those trials well before finishing sixth in the men’s 400 final, competing against guys twice his size (and age). The 16-year-old high school sophomore has captured the hearts of spectators at Hayward Field, and they’re sure to keep an eye on this budding phenomenon for years to come.
Wilson’s performance as Eugene was nothing short of spectacular. In the first heat of his event, he broke a 42-year-old under-18 record, then followed it up with an even better time in the semi-final. He was almost half a second behind his semifinal time in the final, but he could still be placed in the 4×400 relay group.
The only positive point of his absence from the 2024 Olympic team: he should now have time to obtain his driving license.
Ryan Crouser
Crouser has struggled with injuries this season, but he still managed to assert his dominance in the shot put. Crouser’s throw of 74 feet, 11 ¼ inches was enough to win the shot put by more than a foot. Crouser won gold at two consecutive Olympics. He has the chance to be the first shot putter in history to win three Olympic gold medals in this event. Even more impressive, he has a chance to achieve this feat in back-to-back Olympics.
Crouser is already the world record holder in this event.
LOSERS
Christian Coleman
Coleman came into the trials as one of the favorites in the 100m and certainly a strong candidate to make the team for the event. But after the final, he took to the track in disappointment after finishing fourth in the sprint.
Coleman got off to a good start and took an early lead, but Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley all beat him to the finish line.
The 60-meter world record holder will likely be in the 4×100 relay pool in Paris.
Directory-Collins
The reigning world champion in the women’s discus, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins, had an (extremely) difficult Monday. Tausaga-Collins fouled all three of her attempts in the first round, meaning she recorded no marks and will not compete in the discus final on Thursday.
During NBC’s broadcast of the qualifying round, Tausaga-Collins looked totally out of sorts. His throws were everywhere – literally. An attempt took place on the track (no one was hit or injured). To add insult to injury, Tausaga-Collins was one of only three women out of 24 competing who possessed the Olympic qualifying standard, meaning the United States might not send three competitors.
McKenzie Long
Long, who won NCAA titles in the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay, did not make it out of the 100 semifinal. Long was on USA TODAY Sports’ list of top college athletes to watch. She does, however, have a chance to make the team in the 200m, which could well be her strongest event.
Eugene, Oregon
Where is the love for TrackTown, USA? Despite being THE city known for loving – and understanding all the intricacies of – athletics, the city 100 miles south of Portland is once again hated. This is the eighth time that Eugene has hosted the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, and despite the famous “Hayward Magic” that athletes have enjoyed for decades, many people are (still) complaining about the logistics. to get to Eugene.
There are already complaints about whether the 2028 trials will be held in Eugene again (organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games said Sunday that Los Angeles likely would not be ready to host the trials). We know it can be difficult to get to Eugene – and hotel rooms aren’t exactly plentiful – but where else in the country do more than 12,000 fans gather to cheer on the world’s best running, jumping and throwing?
Bonus: There is no sales tax in the state.
HEARTBREAK
Athing Mu
The reigning Olympic 800 meters champion will not have the opportunity to defend her crown in Paris. Mu got tangled with the other riders on the first lap and fell on the track. By the time Mu was able to regain her footing, she was in last place by far.
Mu continued to run but she was out of contention. As Mu ran down the final stretch, the other competitors had already finished. She crossed the finish line in 2:19.69 and in last place. She was visibly emotional as she left the track at Hayward Field during a difficult season for the middle-distance runner.
Mu suffered from a hamstring injury for most of the 2024 season and made his season debut at the Olympic Trials.
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Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell.