Sha'Carri Richardson launched her quest for Olympic redemption with a decisive victory in the opening heats of the women's 100 metres at the Stade de France on Friday. The reigning world champion, aiming to be the first American since Gail Devers in 1996 to claim Olympic 100m gold, smoothly advanced with a time of 10.94 seconds.

The 24-year-old Texan showcased her prowess by bursting out of the blocks efficiently, quickly gaining her stride, and comfortably easing up before the finish line to a warm reception from the crowd. Richardson's participation in Paris marks her return to the Olympic stage three years after a positive marijuana test dashed her Tokyo 2020 dreams following her victory at the US trials.

Richardson's comeback reached a pinnacle with her surprising victory at last year's World Championships in Budapest, establishing her as the favourite for the 100m event in Paris. With Jamaica's reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion Elaine Thompson-Herah sidelined due to injury and Shericka Jackson focusing on the 200m, Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred emerges as Richardson's primary competitor. Alfred also won her heat with a time of 10.95 seconds but refrained from speaking to reporters afterward.

Richardson will compete in Saturday's semi-finals, aiming to secure a spot in the final later in the day and contend for one of the athletics competition's first high-profile gold medals.