Coleman and Richardson ahead of U.S. track championships after missing Olympics

Christian Coleman and Sha’Carri Richardson will fight to claim the title of King and Queen of American track and field this week in Eugene, Oregon, as the 100-meter specialists headline the American Championships.

The top three from the meeting who meet certain qualifying standards and the reigning world title holders qualify for the first-ever world championships held in the United States on the same track at Hayward Field starting July 15.

Returning world champion Coleman, who returned in January after serving an 18-month ban for violating anti-doping whereabouts rules, said he was « the same guy » he was when he clinched the 2019 world title in 9.76 seconds.

« I feel like it’s there, » Coleman told reporters after winning the 100m at the New York Grand Prix last week in 9.92.

« When you have a long layoff it’s obviously going to affect you one way or another, so this whole season for me is a learning experience. »

He will be challenged closely by Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley and US Olympic Trials champion Trayvon Bromell in one of the highlights of the encounter, which begins on Thursday.

Kerley won the distance in 9.92 at the Golden Gala Rome Diamond League meet earlier this month, while Bromell produced a wind-assisted 9.75 at the UNF Invitational in April.

Richardson feels ‘phenomenal’

Exuberant fan favorite Richardson, whose Olympic dreams ended prematurely due to a 30-day suspension for a positive cannabis test, declared for the 100 and 200.

The 22-year-old finished 1-100ths off her personal best to win the 100 earlier this month in Florida in 10.73 thanks to the wind.

« I feel phenomenal, » Richardson told reporters after producing a 10.85 to finish second to compatriot Aleia Hobbs at the New York Grand Prix.

The reunion will also feature the last U.S. championship appearance by retired Allyson Felix, America’s most decorated 400m athlete, and four-time world champion and two-time Olympic triple jump gold medalist Christian Taylor, on a mission back after missing the Tokyo Games. due to injury.

The men’s 200m will be Tokyo bronze medalist Noah Lyles’ sole focus.

The women’s 400m hurdles will feature an epic rivalry between Sydney McLaughlin, who won gold in Tokyo with a world record 51.46, and reigning world champion Dalilah Muhammad.

Another Oregon favorite, world shot put record holder Ryan Crouser will face world champion Joe Kovacs, while Tokyo silver medalist Raven Saunders will face world indoor silver medalist Chase Ealey on the female side.