Without Dallas’ Sha’Carri Richardson as rival, Jamaica sweeps women’s 100 meters Olympic final

TOKYO — The lights in Olympic Stadium shut off.

Laser beams of the Olympic rings and other swirling special effects appeared on the track.

The scene moments before the women’s 100 meters final started Saturday night was fit for a superstar.

One like Dallas native Sha’Carri Richardson, who likely would’ve been in the eight-sprinter lineup and contending for a medal with her trademark confidence and flair had she not tested positive for marijuana after winning the Olympic trials.

Instead, the spectacle preceded a Jamaican podium sweep with Elaine Thompson-Herah winning gold in an Olympic-record 10.61 seconds, 0.1 faster than Florence Griffith Joyner’s 10.62-second mark at the 1988 Games.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.74) and Shericka Jackson (10.76) rounded out the podium.

In Richardson’s absence, Teahna Daniels emerged this week as the best U.S. 100 meters sprinter, placing seventh in the final in 11.02 seconds.

Daniels, a 2019 Texas graduate and current Austin resident, set a personal best with 10.98 seconds in the semifinals, about two hours before the final.

Though she said her technique in the first race “was not good at all, she felt better about her form against what was arguably the deepest women’s 100 meters field in Olympics history.

And even more confident about her potential entering the next Olympic cycle.

At 24 years old, she’s already looking toward Paris and hoping to bring some more diversity to the podium.

“Even though, yes, I am an American, it’s kind of cool to see Jamaica sweep,” Daniels said. “They work so hard these past few years. Even though I would love to see an American flag on that podium, I can’t be mad at the talent and work they put in.”

As her competitors crumpled to the ground, hunched over and breathing heavy, Athing Mu sauntered around the track

The former Texas A&M star had just finished her 800 meters semifinal heat in first place, but she looked the least fatigued of anyone.

Mu was ready to walk into the mixed zone to chat with reporters. To cool down from her second race in as many days. To start preparing for the Tuesday night final where she’ll be a favorite to win gold.

The 19-year-old crossed the finish line in 1:58.07 seconds, slowing down the final stretch to preserve energy while a few strides ahead of her opponents in the second heat.

Houston native Raevyn Rogers also advanced to the eight-athlete final with the sixth-best overall time (1:59.28 seconds).

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