An American Woman’s Perspective on the 2016 Beijing Olympics: “There’s so much to learn from each other, but so much more”

Richardson won the silver medal in the 100 meter sprint and said it was an honor for all of them to win as USA ladies. “I remember trusting my third leg, trusting Gabby, knowing she was going to put that stick in my hand no matter what, and to leave my best on the track.”

Richardson, turning her head to scope the competition, found herself so far ahead she was alone. That look that said, “Fine, I’m leaving without you” or “Is that all you’ve got?” was a meme on social media.

After the iffy Thomas-to-Richardson baton pass-off, Richardson, Terry, Jefferson, and Thomas covered the lap around the track in a season-best time of 41.78 seconds.

It was the first time since 1988 that there was no Jamaican placing in the women’s 100 meter race. Paris also marks the first Olympics since 1976 that a Jamaican woman hasn’t medaled in the 200-meter race.

In the men’s race, the U.S. — after initially placing fifth — was disqualified after botching their first handoff, when Christian Coleman passed to Kenny Bednarek. Fred Kerley, as anchor, and Kyree King rounded out the team.

Noah Lyles was the team’s best asset and it would have to run without him. After finishing with bronze in his best event, the 200-meter sprint on Thursday, Lyles revealed that he had COVID-19.

U.S. men, clearly angered and frustrated by their performance, spoke briefly with reporters after the race. King said that they had no risk and no reward. “We went out there and went big and it didn’t happen.”

The U.S. teams don’t do well in relays. The Team USA was almost disqualified from the 4×200-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. The team won the bronze medal after the ruling was overturned.

The US has had short-distances in its domain. That changed at the Beijing Games 2008, when Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt collected world records and gold in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. That same Olympics, Jamaicans Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown won gold in the women’s 100- and 200-meter races.

The first mistake was made when Elaine Thompson-Herah said an injury would cause her to miss Paris, meaning she couldn’t defend her 100 and 200 meter titles.

Then, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson dropped out of the 100-meter and 200-meter races, citing injury. The two sprint stars along with Thompson-Herah won a bronze medal in the women’s 100m final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.