Sha'Carri Richardson is Finally Sprinting Her Way to the Olympics
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Her certified bright wig, shiny nails, contagious confidence, and lightning speed took the sporting world by storm in 2020 when Sha'Carri Richardson won the women’s 100-meter event at the 2020 US track team trials.
Unfortunately, Richardson’s sprint to Tokyo ended abruptly, as she was disqualified from the tournament after a positive marijuana drug test. According to her, she consumed the drug in the state of Oregon, where consumption is legal, to cope with the death of her mother.
Richardson was devasted by her suspension but decided to make a stronger comeback. And last week, she did exactly that. Richardson won the women’s 100m at the US Track and Field team trials in Oregon, clocking an impressive 10.71 seconds — the fastest time in the world this year.
Let’s take a look at Richardson’s road to redemption and the 2024 Paris Olympics:
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
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March 25, 2000: Richardson was born in Dallas, Texas.
2018: Richardson graduated from Carter High School in Dallas and attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where she competed in collegiate track and field.
June 2019: At the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Richardson won the 100 meters in 10.75 seconds, breaking the 30-year-old collegiate record. This performance propelled her into the national spotlight.
Professional Career and Setbacks
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June 2021: Richardson qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by winning the women's 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 10.86 seconds.
July 2021: Richardson received a one-month suspension after testing positive for marijuana, leading to her disqualification from the Tokyo Olympics.
August 2021: Richardson competed in the Prefontaine Classic after her suspension but finished last in the 100 meters.
Comeback and Redemption
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2022: Richardson had a mixed season. She showed flashes of her previous brilliance but also needed consistency improvement. She did not qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
February- March 2023: Richardson started the indoor season strong, signaling a potential comeback with solid performances in shorter sprints.
April-June 2023: She competed in several Diamond League events, gradually improving her times and regaining confidence. Her participation in the Diamond League circuit demonstrated her determination to compete at the highest level.
July 2023: Richardson won the 100 meters at the U.S. Championships with a time of 10.82 seconds, solidifying her place among the world's best sprinters again.
August 2023: At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Richardson won the gold medal in the 100 meters with a time of 10.65 seconds, a personal best. She also secured a bronze medal in the 200 meters and helped the U.S. women's team win gold in the 4x100 meters relay.
Road to Paris Olympics 2024
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November 2023: Richardson announced her intention to compete in the Paris Olympics.
February-March 2024: Richardson trained intensively, participating in indoor meets to fine-tune her performance.
April-June 2024: Richardson competed in outdoor track events, including significant meets and Diamond League races, to sharpen her form and strategies ahead of the Olympics.
July 2024: Richardson competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials, qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 100 and 200 meters.
Richardson will now undoubtedly board the plane to Paris, but her journey here hasn’t been the easiest.
But isn’t that what sports is truly about?
You work hard, almost taste success, fall, try to get up, work thrice as hard, and finally inch a step closer to your dream. The best part is that this cycle is never-ending, and that’s what creates athletes like Richardson. Athletes who never, ever give up.
We’ll be rooting for her in front of the TV, with nicely done nails, a bright-colored wig, and loads of sass and confidence.