What 2021 took away, Sha’Carri Richardson has come back to reclaim at the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old would’ve been a Tokyo Olympian three years ago if it weren’t for her suspension due to THC-positive tests just a month before her dream was set to take flight. But now she’s left all that behind, walking with her head held high, staying true to her mantra: “I’m not back, I’m better.”

Ahead of the blazing Women’s 100m Round 1 at Stade de France, Sha’Carri Richardson declared to NBC, “To be at the Olympics is a phenomenal feeling. To be an athlete here. Competing with the energy, with a great appreciation for the track and field, it gives great support to be a track and field athlete. So I’m super excited to compete on the Olympic stage.”

These impressive words kicked off Sha’Carri Richardson’s dazzling debut at the Paris Olympics. She stormed through her 100-meter heat in Round 1 (Heat 1), clocking a swift 10.94 seconds to secure her spot in the semi-finals. With a slight tailwind of +0.1 m/s, her performance was a clear signal that she was ready for the big stage.

In her heat, Sha’Carri finished first, effortlessly outpacing Patrizia van der Weken from Luxembourg and Bree Masters from Australia. Her blazing time means she’ll be competing in the semi-finals against some of the sport’s biggest names, like Julien Alfred, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Tia Clayton. Sha’Carri Richardson is America’s top hope to end a 28-year gold drought in the women’s 100m, a streak that stretches back to Gail Devers’ win in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics!

This Olympic year, she’s been unstoppable, dominating every 100-meter race she’s entered. She kicked off 2024 with a blistering 10.83 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic, followed by a 10.86 and a phenomenal 10.71 2024 world lead at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Her winning streak began in 2023, when she also showcased incredible form with a series of impressive times, including a personal best of 10.57 seconds at the Miramar Invitational and a gold medal-winning 10.65 at the World Championships in Budapest.

Even with a few minor bumps, Sha’Carri’s consistent performances have made her the one to watch in Paris. This comeback is a headline-making chapter in Sha’Carri Richardson’s career after her 2021 Tokyo Olympics setback due to the heartbreaking loss of her biological mother!

Sha’Carri Richardson turned her 2021 trauma into her starting block, launching her as the 100-meter top seed at the Paris Olympics!

Three years ago, Sha’Carri Richardson faced a huge setback when she was suspended for using cannabis—a decision influenced by the heartbreaking news of her biological mother’s passing just before the U.S. Olympic Trials. Despite clocking an impressive 10.86 seconds in the 100-meter race, she was sidelined from competing. While cannabis is legal in Oregon and several other U.S. states, it’s still a no-go for the World Anti-Doping Agency.

After her profound apology to the federations and fans, she explained how the news affected her, especially since she found out from a news reporter before the trials. Richardson said, “I’m not making an excuse or looking for empathy in my case. However, being in that position in my life, finding out something like that … Dealing with the relationship I have with my mother, that definitely was a very heavy topic on me.”

After her suspension, she shared her resilient mindset “This is just one game. I’m 21. I’m very young. Unlike most, I have plenty of games left in me to compete in, and I have plenty of talent that backs me up because everything I do comes from me naturally. After my sanction is up, I’ll be back and ready to compete.” Supported by celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, Seth Rogen, and Michael Johnson, Richardson has shown remarkable resilience.

Cardi B, who had a touching moment with Sha’Carri before the 2024 Olympics, expressed her pride to see Richardson change the 2021 narrative saying, “I feel inspired.” before getting a bit choked up. Sha’Carri responded, “I feel like you’ve seen my journey. You can literally take moments of your life and relate it to my journey. We represent.”

Cardi, wiping away tears, added, “It’s so special. Like, you’re really just more than an athlete. You’re really special.” Today, as Sha’Carri Richardson charges into the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, it’s proof of her grit and determination—turning setbacks into a powerful drive forward. With her remarkable comeback, do you think she’s got what it takes to clinch gold in the women’s 100m? Share your thoughts in the comments below!