But this Saturday she was unable to recover from a bad start and she finished in fourth place in the final with 22.16s. The defeat means that Richardson will only have the 100m to concentrate on in Paris in addition to her likely role in the 4x100m relay squad. The three tickets in dispute ended up in the hands of Gabby Thomas, bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020, who won in 21.81s, and Brittany Brown (21.90s) and McKenzie Long (21.91s).

Noah Lyles, double world champion of the 100m and 200m, did earn the right to seek the prestigious Olympic double. The charismatic 26-year-old athlete from Florida won the 200m final with a time of 19.53s, the best world record of the year. Lyles, who had already won the 100m last weekend, was made to work hard for victory, eventually reeling in Kenny Bednarek in the final 20m to take the tape. Junior Erriyon Knighton took third with 19.77s.

"I feel really blessed," Lyles said after the win. "I just thank God for pushing me every round, mentally and physically."

But there was more disappointment for former 100m world champion Christian Coleman, who was squeezed into fourth place to miss out. The reigning world indoor 60m champion was also beaten out of the top three finishing places in the 100m last week.

In other events on the track at Hayward Field, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set foot safely in the women's 400m hurdles final on Sunday. The current Olympic champion and world record holder clocked a time of 52.48s, ahead of Anna Cockrell (52.95s) and Shamier Little (53.49s).

"Just focusing on getting out, going the back stretch and getting ready for tomorrow," McLaughlin-Levrone said after coasting home in her semi-final.