Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson Secures First Olympic Gold Medal in Women’s 4×100 Relay

Sha’Carri Richardson has achieved a significant milestone in her athletic career by winning her first Olympic gold medal. On August 9, the talented sprinter led the U.S. women’s track and field team to victory in the 4×100 relay during the Paris Summer Games, finishing with an impressive time of 41.78 seconds.

Richardson anchored the team, which included Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, and Gabby Thomas, completing her leg of the race in a remarkable 10.09 seconds. Despite challenging weather conditions, she demonstrated exceptional speed and determination, overtaking Great Britain’s Daryll Neita by a mere 0.07 seconds. Great Britain secured the silver medal, while Germany claimed the bronze.

This victory represents a pivotal moment for the 24-year-old athlete, marking her second Olympic medal. Earlier in the Games, on August 3, she earned a silver medal in the women’s 100-meter race with a time of 10.87 seconds, just 0.22 seconds off her personal best. In a stunning display of talent, Richardson set a new world record of 10.65 seconds at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, earning her the title of “fastest woman in the world.”

Richardson’s journey to this success has been remarkable. After facing disqualification from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to a failed drug test, she has made a powerful comeback, exiting the Paris Games with two Olympic medals.

Who Is Sha’Carri Richardson?

Sha’Carri Richardson is an American track athlete, two-time Olympic medalist, and two-time world champion. Born and raised in Dallas, she began her running career at the age of 9, quickly establishing herself as a standout sprinter in middle and high school. Richardson attended Louisiana State University for one year before turning professional in 2019.

Following her disqualification from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Richardson faced a challenging period in her career. However, she rebounded spectacularly by winning the 100-meter dash at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, setting a world record and earning recognition as the “world’s fastest woman.” In addition to her athletic prowess, Richardson has garnered attention for her distinctive fashion and beauty aesthetics, drawing comparisons to the late track star Florence Joyner.

Early Life: Hometown and Maternal Influence

Sha’Carri Richardson was born on March 25, 2000, in Dallas, Texas. From an early age, Richardson faced challenges in her family dynamics, as she did not have a relationship with her biological parents. Instead, she was raised by her grandmother, Betty Harp, and her aunt, Shayaria Richardson, whom she affectionately refers to as her mother. In 2021, Sha’Carri publicly announced the passing of her biological mother but chose not to elaborate on their relationship, expressing gratitude by stating, “I am grateful for her giving me life, bringing me into this world.” To date, she has not disclosed information regarding her father.

Richardson’s passion for running was ignited at a young age, significantly influenced by her aunt’s success as a track and field athlete. At the age of nine, she discovered her mother’s high school running medals, which served as a pivotal moment in her athletic journey. “My grandmother made [my mother] a big plaque full of medals, and I saw it one day and was like, ‘I want that. I want you to bring me one, Granny.’ And [my grandmother] was like, ‘Well, you got to do something to get some medals!’” Richardson recalled in a 2022 interview with Teen Vogue. This early motivation instilled in her the understanding that achieving greatness requires dedication and effort.

As a child, Richardson was active and often described by Shayaria as a tomboy. She participated in cheerleading and dance, played football with neighborhood boys, and, of course, pursued her passion for running. Shayaria recognized Richardson’s commitment from an early age, noting, “I knew right from the start that we were going to be in it for the long haul. She was committed. I would get home from work, and she would ask me to take her to the track,” as she shared with D Magazine. This unwavering support and encouragement from her family played a crucial role in shaping Richardson’s athletic pursuits.

High School and College

Sha’Carri Richardson began her track and field journey in middle school, quickly establishing herself as a formidable competitor by winning regional and state championships. Her talent garnered national attention in 2016 during her sophomore year at David W. Carter High School in Dallas, where she became the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics Champion in the 100 meters. The following year, Richardson added to her accolades by earning a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the USA Track and Field (USATF) National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.

In 2017, Richardson committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to further her athletic career. Upon graduating high school the following year, she was recognized as the No. 1-ranked sprint recruit in the nation.

As a freshman at LSU, Richardson achieved her first NCAA title in 2019, setting a new collegiate record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.75 seconds. With this significant accomplishment, she made the decision to withdraw from the university, announcing her intentions to pursue professional running on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2019.

Professional Running Career

Richardson transitioned to professional running in 2019, signing a contract with Nike later that year. She specializes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, quickly establishing herself in the professional track and field landscape.

Disqualification from the 2020 Olympics

In June 2021, Richardson qualified for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics by winning the 100-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field. Following her victory, she shared an emotional moment with her grandmother, stating, “My grandmother is my heart. My grandmother is my superwoman. Honestly, that was one of my biggest goals in life: to have her see me compete at one of the highest levels and be successful.”

However, in July 2021, a routine drug test conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency revealed that Richardson tested positive for marijuana. As a result, she received a one-month ban from competition and was disqualified from participating in the Tokyo Olympics that August. Richardson explained that her use of marijuana occurred following the death of her biological mother in June 2021, as she sought to cope with her profound loss.

“I want to take responsibility for my actions,” Richardson said during an interview on the Today show. “I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do and am allowed not to do, and I still made that decision. I’m not making an excuse. I’m not looking for any empathy in my case.”

Comeback and Record 100m Time

Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey back to prominence in track and field has been marked by resilience and determination following her disqualification from the Olympics. Her return to competitive racing was challenging; she finished in last place during the 100-meter event at the Prefontaine Classic in August 2021. Subsequently, in June 2022, she faced another setback by failing to advance to the semifinals at the USATF Outdoor Championships in both the 100-meter and 200-meter events, resulting in her absence from the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

However, Richardson’s fortunes began to shift in June 2023, when she reclaimed her position among the elite sprinters. She won the 100-meter sprint at the USATF Outdoor Championships with a time of 10.82 seconds. In a post-race interview, she expressed her renewed commitment, stating, “Now, I stand here with you again, and I’m ready, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’m here to say, ‘I’m not back, I’m better.’” This momentum carried her to the 2023 World Athletics Championships in August, where she excelled by winning the 100-meter sprint with a championship record time of 10.65 seconds, securing third place in the 200-meter sprint, and anchoring the women’s 4×100-meter relay team to another first-place finish.

Richardson conveyed her elation to Eurosport, emphasizing her dedication: “I feel amazing. I feel like hard work pays off. I’ve been dedicating myself. I’ve been keeping my faith strong this season and just believing and knowing whatever you practice is what you put forward, and I’m grateful.” Her remarkable performance in the 100-meter sprint solidified her title as the “fastest woman in the world,” and she was also recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2024.

2024 Olympics

Richardson officially completed her comeback at the U.S. Olympic Team Track and Field Trials in June 2024, winning the 100-meter dash in 10.71 seconds, thereby securing a spot on Team USA for the Paris Summer Olympics. Recording the fastest time globally that year, she quickly became the favorite for gold in the event. Although she was anticipated to qualify for the 200-meter dash, Richardson finished fourth a week later, missing the opportunity to compete in that event.

As the Olympics approached, Richardson performed impressively in the women’s 100-meter heats, winning her heat before finishing second in her semifinal heat, behind St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred, which set the stage for the final race. Although Richardson experienced a slow start, she made considerable ground but ultimately could not overtake Alfred, who claimed gold, leaving Richardson with a silver medal—her first Olympic medal.

In a remarkable turn of events, the Texas native later secured her first gold medal by leading Team USA to victory in the women’s 4×100-meter relay, clocking a time of 41.78 seconds. Richardson anchored the team, delivering an outstanding performance with a 10.09-second leg to finish the race.

Fashion Icon

Sha’Carri Richardson is celebrated for her distinctive personal style and beauty aesthetic, characterized by bold fashion choices that captivate both on and off the track. Known for her eye-catching racing attire, including striking catsuits, Richardson’s fashion sense has drawn comparisons to that of the legendary sprinter Florence Joyner, who earned five Olympic medals in the 1980s.

In a candid interview with NBC following a race in 2022, Richardson expressed her philosophy on self-expression: “I really just wanted people to know that you can be yourself. That means you wanna be sexy, you wanna be cute, you wanna express yourself in ways that nobody has before? Don’t let that stop you.” Her commitment to individuality is evident in her vibrant wigs, makeup, and intricate nail art, complemented by her love for luxurious mink false eyelashes. “You know how they say the eyes are the windows to the soul? Well, the lashes are the window wipers,” she remarked in a feature with Vogue.

Richardson made headlines at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in September when she showcased her natural hair during a race. She had promised her coach that if she achieved a time of 10.6 seconds in the 100-meter dash, she would embrace her natural look. After running a remarkable 10.65 seconds and becoming the world champion, she proudly fulfilled her promise.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Richardson has graced prestigious events like the Met Gala and, in February 2024, became the face of a collaborative campaign for Nike and the French luxury brand Jacquemus.

Ex-Girlfriend

Richardson has openly identified as bisexual and previously dated Jamaican hurdler Janeek Brown. Their relationship ended in 2022 amid serious allegations, with Richardson accusing Brown of abuse.

In an emotional Instagram post, Richardson shared her experience: “I was in a relationship with a Jamaican athlete that never cared about me from jump. I was abused and stolen from yet protected her from the judgment of her country and family while they dragged me. I had to deal with [homophobia] and so much more that I’m still healing from.”

During an Instagram Live interview, Brown confirmed Richardson’s accusations, stating, “I was abusive once that there’s physical evidence of. And we moved on, and even after then I was trying to move on from that, we still got nowhere.”

Through her journey, Richardson continues to advocate for authenticity and resilience, inspiring many with her powerful narrative and unwavering spirit.