Olympic trials are building excitement for Tokyo

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June 28, 2021

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Spanx may pursue a sale, a new candidate enters the Massachusetts governor’s race, and it’s Olympic time. Have a peaceful Monday.
– Olympic excitement. Are you excited for the Olympics? Personally, I’ve been finding it hard to get pumped for the 2021—sorry, 2020—Games amid the delays, worries from Japanese citizens and residents about COVID spread, and endless controversies coming from top Olympic leaders.
But in the past week or so, that started to change. Sha’Carri Richardson delivered the first major Olympic moment of the season last week with her winning 100-meter sprint as the “fastest woman in the America,” fiery red hair, and emotional post-race interview. Then, this weekend, we saw even more milestones during Olympic trials from athletes who will soon be competing in Tokyo.
In track and field, marathoner Emily Sisson overcame a “broken heart” to outrace her competitors in the 10,000-meter event. That broken heart referred to her difficulties during the original qualifiers for 2020; 16 months ago, Sisson was a favorite but dropped out of the race at 22 miles.
Gabby Thomas, who recently had a health scare, won the 200-meter race. Allyson Felix made the U.S. Olympic team in the 400 meters, but didn’t qualify in the 200-meter event she already has a gold medal in. But Felix says she’s thrilled to be going to Tokyo—and that her daughter will see her compete there.
On Sunday, the gymnastics trials continued, featuring Felix’s fellow Athleta ambassador, Simone Biles. Unsurprisingly, Biles led the competition this weekend, pulling off all her “signature moves.” Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Grace McCallum will join her on the Olympic team. (Another superstar, Serena Williams, announced she won’t compete in Tokyo.)
Outside these trials, Olympic excitement is building, too. One sport to watch closely? Golf. Among professional golfers, men’s players on the PGA tour have steadily declined to compete at the Games this summer. Women’s players, meanwhile, are eager to show their stuff in only the second summer Games since golf returned as an official Olympic sport in 2016.
Major moments from golf, track and field, and gymnastics—what more could we ask for? There will certainly be more to see in Tokyo—and now I know I’ll be watching.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe
The Broadsheet, Fortune’s newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women, is coauthored by Kristen Bellstrom, Emma Hinchliffe, and Claire Zillman. Today’s edition was curated by Emma Hinchliffe.

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