Who is fastest woman in the world?

Sha'Carri Richardson , the fastest woman of the year, has secured her place in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a remarkable time of 10.71 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Richardson's journey to this point is a testament to her dedication and hard work after missing the 2020 Tokyo Games, and has said, "I'm not back; I'm better."

Richardson's claim to the title of the fastest woman began in 2023, after a thrilling performance at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. With a time of 10.65, she surpassed Jamaica's Shericka Jackson , who finished with a time of 10.72, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce , who finished with a time of 10.77, in a race that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

With her impressive track record, all eyes will be on Richardson in Paris. The question on everyone's mind is whether the fastest woman of 2023 and 2024 can bring Team USA a gold medal in her first Olympic Games.

More: Will Sha'carri Richardson run in the Olympics? What to know about star at Paris Games

Who is the fastest woman in history?

Florence Griffith Joyner , an American athlete who is considered the fastest woman ever, currently holds the world records for the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints.

Griffin-Joyner set the 100-meter record of 10.49 at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the 200-meter record of 21.34 at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games. Both records still stand and have been intact for over 30 years.

Griffin-Joyner won three gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Games, including the 4x100m relay that claimed silver. In 1995, Griffin-Joyner was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame .

Current top women's 100 meters records

Here are the current top five women's 100-meter times, according to the worldathletics.org .

• 1. Florence GRIFFITH-JOYNER : 10.49 seconds set in 1988
• 2. Elaine THOMPSON-HERAH : 10.54 seconds set in 2021
• 3. Shelly-Ann FRASER-PRYCE : 10.60 seconds set in 2021
• 4. Carmelita JETER : 10.64 set in 2009
• 5. Marion JONES : 10.65 set in 1988
• 5. Shericka JACKSON : 10.65 set in 2023
• 5. Sha'Carri RICHARDSON : 10.65 set in 2023

How to watch Sha'Carri Richardson at the Olympics

• Dates: August 2 - August 3
• Location: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
• Cable TV: NBC, USA, E!
• Streaming: Peacock ; NBCOlympics.com; NBC Olympics app

How to watch: Catch all the 2024 Paris Olympic Games action with a subscription to Peacock

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is fastest woman in the world?