“Continue to Just Exploit Us”: After Calling Out USATF, Sha’Carri Richardson Takes a Bold Step Pleading Track World

Sha’Carri Richardson has emerged as a formidable force in a sport where seconds matter and athleticism reigns supreme. Known for her lightning-fast sprints, Richardson has never shied away from using her platform to speak out against injustices. Recently, she took a bold step by reaching out to fellow athletes, urging them to unite and create a new organization for track and field athletes.

This move comes after Richardson called out the United States Track and Field (USATF) previously with issues in streaming of the sport. Richardson emphasized the importance of athletes having a say in decisions that affect them, expressing frustration with the lack of representation and exploitation that athletes face in track and field.

Fans and Athletes Rally Behind Richardson Against Streaming Platforms

She penned in her caption, “There is so much going on in our sport! A lot of changes are happening that affect us. We, as athletes, keep talking about not having a voice. We do! Let’s get together in Eugene in discuss.” “Athletes Only!!!”  Richardson took to Instagram previously on July 1 to express her displeasure. She shared a Track World news post revealing that the US Championship would not be broadcast on NBC. In her caption, she exclaimed, “These companies continue to make it HARDER for track and field to have exposure!!! All they want is to continue to exploit sports!!!”

Richardson also tagged USATF and CNBC, expressing her sadness over this decision, especially since it marks the first time since 2006 that the championship won’t be aired on NBC. Fans and fellow athletes, including Rachel Dincoff and Sam Cappos, echoed Richardson’s sentiments. Notably, track and field legend Michael Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction on Twitter, emphasizing the irony of NBC airing talent show reruns rather than showcasing America’s most talented track and field athletes. This increased NBC’s scrutiny of its streaming decision, drawing attention to the issue from both the track and field community and fans.

Sha ’Carri Richardson’s Call to Action

In her recent reel she said, “If You as an athlete have an issue with the things that are going on within track and field for the United States the changes that are going on, the decisions that are being made, everything that we as athletes don’t have a say in.” Addressing the issues that track and field athletes face. She asked her fellow athletes to join her in coming up with an idea together to form an organization to come up with strategies for athletes to voice their opinions and make a change for themselves.

Read more: “Killing the Sport”: Sha’Carri Richardson Joins Hands With Millions After NBC Drops a Disappointing Update for Track and Field World

She called all athletes to come together and, “To create an actual organization that we know is going to impact us and build us up and build up the sport in the United States”, “And not just continue to exploit us like these organizations that are supposed to be on our side are doing and they continue to show us there are not”.  She urged athletes to unite and take collective action to break down the barriers that are impeding their progress, demanding fair treatment, transparency, and accountability from governing bodies.

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