Sha’Carri (pronounced Sha-Kerry) Richardson, former LSU track and field star, is a force of nature, and she knows it.
At the recent 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Richardson won the Women’s 100 meters in record time – 10.65 seconds, the fastest time in the event’s history. It was her personal best and is .16 seconds behind the 1988 world record set by beloved sprinter Florence ‘Flo-Jo’ Griffith-Joyner. Joyner’s record of 10.49 still stands.
“I feel amazing,” Richardson told Eurosport. “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.”
The record-setting Richardson had good reason for joy after a disappointing end to her 2021 season.
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In the summer of 2021, the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics, Richardson qualified for the team with a spectacular 10.86 sprinting time in the women’s 100 meters. Easily qualifying for the upcoming games, Richardson received a one-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for marijuana. And just like that, her Olympic Tokyo dreams were no more. But now, she holds the title of the fastest woman in the world.
After her positive test for marijuana, social media went wild with theories about Richardson. She talked about finding out about the death of her biological mother a week before the Olympic trials, tweeting, “I’m human.”
“I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by badness, and hurting, and hiding hurt,” Richardson told the “Today Show.” “I know I can’t hide myself, so in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain.”
But that was then; this is now.
Richardson beat her much-touted Jamaican rivals Shericka Jackson by .07 seconds and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce by .12. Richardson beat her rivals as she ran from lane nine and entered the race ranked number four in the world. Her facial expression said it all; she was shocked but joyous.
Richardson also anchored the 4×100 relay team, winning gold in a showdown with Jamaicans – Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 41.03 seconds. Jamaica finished second, and Britain clocked a third-place finish.
As Richardson joyfully hugged her 4×100 relay teammates, Tamari Davis, TeeTee Terry, and Gabby Thomas, she was on full display for the world to see what she is capable of – fantastic speed. Richardson repeated her mantra when asked about her two-year comeback, “I’m not back. I’m better.”
Her final words? “I’m glad I can display who I really am. Not my pain. Not my sadness. I’m happy I can sit here and be happy with home, and just knowing that It all paid off.”
All eyes will be on Richardson as she seeks to qualify for the US Olympic track and field team for the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games. The Olympic cauldron will be lit in Paris on July 26, 2024.
