Sawt Falasteen - Richardson exits 200m at US trials, Coleman through

Richardson, the reigning 100m champion, finished fourth in her heat in a time of 22.56secs, leaving her just outside the qualifying spots for Sunday's final at Hayward Field in Eugene.

The 25-year-old Texan star, who has already qualified for September's Tokyo World Championships as the reigning 100m world champion, did not comment after her race other than to wish reporters a "blessed day."

Richardson was arrested and detained last Sunday after allegedly assaulting boyfriend Christian Coleman as the couple passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who won Friday's 100m, was the quickest qualifier for the 200m final, beating Olympic champion Gabby Thomas into second place.

Jefferson-Wooden clocked 22.06secs in her heat, with Thomas just behind in 22.19secs.

Richardson's partner Coleman, meanwhile, qualified for Sunday's men's 200m final, finishing second in his heat in 20.20secs, just behind world champion Noah Lyles in 19.97secs.

Lyles, who is already qualified for Tokyo as the reigning 100m and 200m world champion, made a smooth start and accelerated into a lead off the bend before holding off Coleman and Kyree King.

Lyles reached the final with the quickest time of the heats, with two-time Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek second fastest in 19.99secs.

X.Habash--SF-PST