US sprinters Richardson and Coleman advance to the Stawell Gift semifinals in Australia
STAWELL, Australia (AP) — American sprinters Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman won their heats Saturday and qualified for Monday's semifinals of the Stawell Gift, an annual race contested over 120 meters on grass in a small Australian town near Melbourne. Both Richardson and Coleman are racing from “scratch” in the 144th edition of the event, meaning they must run the entire distance and chase down opponents who in some cases may start 25 meters ahead of them. Richardson won her heat in 13.
815 seconds Saturday and Coleman his in 12. 681. On Monday there will be six semifinals in each of the men's and women's divisions, with the winners of each of the heats advancing to the respective finals.
“My experience so far is just reminding me what track and field feels like — love the respect and also fun,” Richardson told 7plus Television after the heat. “It felt like being a kid again, playing tag, like playing rabbit. I had a great time, and it just kind of woke my body up with this being the first time running in 2026 .
. . chasing everyone actually made me activate and work on my race pattern.
" Richardson is one of the fastest women of all time, winning a silver medal in the 100 meters in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and gold in the 4x100 relay that same year. Coleman is a former world champion over 100 meters. He and Richardson appear to have continued their relationship despite a domestic violence charge against Richardson last July.