What’s common between the American speedster Sha’Carri Richardson and the Polish short sprinter Ewa Swoboda? Their iconic looks and flair for glamor allow them to stand apart from other athletes. However, the similarities end here. While Sha’Carri Richardson was able to take home two medals from Prais, Ewa Swoboda had to leave empty-handed.

And now, after the Paris Olympics, where Swoboda turned heads with her iconic salute but not so with her performance, the Polish short sprinter is following Sha’Carri Richardson’s course for the 2024 track and field season. While sprinters across the world are going forward with their track and field schedules, both iconic speedsters are going to hang their shoes for the rest of the season. Let’s get into the details.

Ewa Swoboda is following in Sha’Carri Richardson’s footsteps for the track and field season ahead

The summer of 2019 was a season to forget for Eva Swoboda, the 2019 European indoor champion in the 60m. Despite her promise and prowess, Swoboda left the major summer events empty-handed, failing to secure a medal in both the women’s 100m and the 4x100m relay. Her performances were a far cry from the explosive speed that once made her a household name on the track. Now, as the season winds down, Swoboda is looking to reclaim her standing on home soil at the Wanda Diamond League in Silesia, Poland.

The stakes are high as she prepares to race in front of her home crowd, eager to put a disappointing season behind her. Beyond this race, however, the 2-time U23 European champion in the 100m will not compete for the rest of the season, hinting at a much-needed rest after the Diamond League. In a lighthearted video shared by X user Owen, Swoboda, when asked about her plans after the season, cheekily replied with a smile, hinting at taking a break from her rigorous training schedule.

Interestingly, Sha’Carri Richardson, the American sprint sensation, has also suggested she might take a break for the remainder of the 2024 track and field season. In a recent Instagram story, Richardson hinted at stepping back from competition, mirroring Swoboda’s decision. This has sparked a wave of speculation among fans, especially since Richardson, unlike Swoboda, has not entered the Diamond League despite the participation of several other Olympians, including 200m gold medalist Letsile Tebogo and 4x400m mixed relay gold medalist Femke Bol.

Ewa Swoboda vs. Sha’Carri Richardson – Olympic Performance

While Swoboda and Richardson might be charting similar courses for the rest of the 2024 season, their paths diverged sharply at the Olympics. Swoboda’s journey in Paris was cut short when she only managed to reach the semifinals in the 100m race and was part of the Polish 4x100m relay team that was eliminated in the first round after finishing fifth. In contrast, Richardson shone brightly in Paris, claiming two medals. Though she narrowly missed out on gold in the 100m, finishing second behind Julien Alfred, she made a triumphant comeback in the 4x100m relay. Running the anchor leg, Richardson’s blistering 10.09-second sprint secured victory for her team.

As Swoboda prepares for her final race of the season, the absence of Richardson in the Diamond League could provide her with a golden opportunity to end her season on a high note. With the Polish crowd behind her, Swoboda will be keen to seize this chance to redeem herself and show the world that she still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Will Swoboda capitalize on Richardson’s absence and capture the title in front of her home fans? The stage is set, and the anticipation is palpable. Share your thoughts in the comments below!