Sha'Carri Richardson, USA and Women's Track and Field 4x100m Relay Qualifying Results

Sha'Carri Richardson continued her strong showing at the 2024 Olympics on Thursday by leading the United States women's 4x100-meter relay team to a win in the first qualifying heat.

The U.S. was in second place behind Germany when Richardson, serving as the anchor, got the baton from Gabby Thomas and turned on the jets to to cross the finish line in the top spot with a total time of 41.94 seconds.

Women's 4x100 Relay Qualifying Results - Heat 1

1. United States: 41.94 seconds
2. Germany: 42.15 seconds
3. Switzerland: 42.38 seconds
4. Australia: 42.75 seconds
5. Poland: 42.86 seconds
6. Italy: 43.03 seconds

(Belgium and Ivory Coast were disqualified)

Women's 4x100 Relay Qualifying Results - Heat 2

1. Great Britain: 42.03 seconds
2. France: 42.13 seconds
3. Jamaica: 42.35 seconds
4. Canada: 42.50 seconds
5. Netherlands: 42.64 seconds
6. Nigeria: 42.70 seconds
7. Spain: 42.77 seconds
8. Trinidad and Tobago: 43.99 seconds

Italics indicates teams qualified for final. Full results via Olympics.com.

Richardson ran her 100 meters in 9.99 seconds. She was the only runner for any country in the first heat to break 10 seconds. Amy Hunt from Great Britain was the only runner in either heat to record a better time (9.76 seconds).

America posted the fastest time of any team in the two qualifying heats. Great Britain won the second heat in 42.03 seconds.

Team USA looked to be in trouble midway through the race when Thomas nearly misconnected receiving the baton exchange from Twanisha Terry going into the third leg. Thomas took off early and had to slow down to receive the handoff from Terry. This caused Thomas to post the fifth-fastest time during her leg (10.59 seconds) and give Germany the opening it needed to take the top spot.

Richardson, who is seeking her first Olympic gold medal, got out in front of Rebekka Haase down the final stretch and to give the U.S. a win by .21 seconds. The 24-year-old won silver in the women's 100 meters on Saturday.

The U.S. posted the fastest time in three of the four legs. Melissa Jefferson got things started with a time of 11.34 seconds in the first leg, followed by Terry running her leg in 10.02 seconds.

Team USA's win in its first heat despite the miscommunication is a strong indication that this team will be favored to capture the gold in the final. Great Britain could pose a formidable challenge, especially if Hunt has another run like she did in the heat.

The final will take place at Stade de France on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.