PARIS: World champion Sha'Carri Richardson's long awaited Olympic debut got off to a terrific start on Friday as the American cruised through the women's 100 metres heats, while her Jamaican rival Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also advanced in her fifth Games.
Richardson won her heat in 10.94 seconds, three years after her Olympic dreams came crashing down around her when she tested positive for cannabis and had to miss the Tokyo Games, while twice champion Fraser-Pryce (10.92) finished second in her heat.
"I've been having fun," said the American. "This is just the biggest stage to see that I have the most fun."
Asked if the run marked redemption for not being allowed to run in Tokyo, Richardson said she was focused on the present after fans cheered at the Stade de France the moment she appeared on the starting line.
Running out of lane six, the 24-year-old easily took the lead by the midway point and glided through the finish before quickly exiting the purple track.
""We're not talking about the past - we're talking about what's happening right now," said Richardson.
"I'm honoured to be here and I'm having a lot of fun and you're going to continue to watch as well."
She will compete in the semi-finals on Saturday, with the medal race set for later that evening. The top three in each heat advance, along with the next three fastest across all heats.
World leader Richardson is the United States' brightest hope of ending a 28-year gold medal drought in the women's blue riband event, after Gail Devers last won in 1996. Marion Jones was stripped of her 2000 Olympic gold medal for doping.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith of Ivory Coast had the fastest time on Friday with 10.87, as she held off Fraser-Pryce down the home stretch in a thrilling final heat. She is hungry for a spot on the podium after fourth-place finishes in the last two Games.
Britain's Daryll Neita won her heat in 10.92, while her compatriot, twice Olympic relay bronze medallist Dina Asher-Smith, moved on in 11.01.
"The crowd is amazing, just came out to get through. There are a lot of British fans," said Asher-Smith, the world silver medallist in 2019. "I'm just having so much fun."
Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia (10.95), Canadian Audrey Leduc (10.95) and Melissa Jefferson (10.96) of the United States also went through. - REUTERS