Sha'Carri Richardson Headlines Prefontaine Classic
Sha'Carri Richardson is set to headline the Prefontaine Classic on July 3-4. She will face a competitive 100m field that includes reigning world 100 champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and five-time Olympic medalist Shericka Jackson.
Richardson is fresh off a 10.77 100m run earlier this month, her fastest time in nearly two years. She will look to build on this momentum at the Prefontaine Classic.
The Prefontaine Classic is one of the most prestigious track and field meets of the year, regularly attracting an elite lineup of international talent. First held in 1975, the meet is named in honor of legendary Oregon distance runner and 1972 U.S. Olympian Steve Prefontaine.
Other notable athletes expected to compete include two-time 200m Olympic medalist Kenny Bednarek in the 100m, reigning 800m Olympic medalist Keely Hodgkinson, and three-time reigning Olympic 1500m gold medalist and 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon.
The men's 400m will feature Paris Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist and U.S. 400m hurdles record holder Rai Benjamin, who will face reigning 400m world champion Busang Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana. Benjamin has anchored the U.S. men's 4x400m relays to gold in the last two Olympic Games.
After the Prefontaine Classic, NBC Sports will present live coverage of the USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships from July 23-26. Richardson will look to continue her strong form and make a push for the top of the podium.
The Prefontaine Classic will be held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, with live coverage beginning on Friday, July 3, at 11:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN. The final event of the meet will begin at approximately 5:50 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4.
Richardson's performance at the Prefontaine Classic will be closely watched, as she looks to build on her recent success and make a statement in the track and field world. With a strong field of competitors, the 100m event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the meet.
The 18-year-old U.S. sprinting phenom Tate Taylor is expected to make his Diamond League debut on Saturday, where he will face reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in the 200m. Taylor recently broke Noah Lyles' U.S. high school record in the 200m in April.
The famed Bowerman Mile will feature a world-class field, including reigning Olympic 1500m gold medalist Cole Hocker, Paris Olympic 1500m bronze medalist and U.S. mile record holder Yared Nuguse, and defending Bowerman Mile champion Niels Laros of the Netherlands.