Despite Olympic Qualification, Sha’Carri Richardson Breaks Silence on Dealing With National Pressure: “Opportunity for Me to Work”

Sha’Carri Richardson is all set to chase double gold at the Paris Olympics! Four days ago, the “I’m not back, I’m better” star secured her spot as the World Lead, National Champion, and Paris Olympian in the 100m at the Olympic trials in Eugene. Now, she’s showing she’s not stopping anytime soon with an impressive performance in the 200-meter prelims at Tracktown.

In the prelims round of the women’s 200m, Sha’Carri Richardson blazed through with a season-best 21.99 seconds (+0.5), making it the second-fastest time in the world this year for the 200m. Talk about making a statement! Following Richardson, Abby Steiner secured the second qualification spot with 22.29 seconds. Tamari Davis followed in third with a comfortable qualification time of 22.66 seconds. Madison Whyte qualified with 22.93 seconds, and Tiraih Kelley also qualified with a time of 22.97 seconds. And Rosey Effiong (22.98) and Kennedy Blackmon (23.00 seconds) also advanced based on their times.

After her race, Sha’Carri Richardson caught up with NBC’s Lewis Johnson on the track and spilled the beans on her focus with her coach—turns were the name of the game, making those straightaways smoother than ever. She was pumped about her performance but also humble, noting there’s always room to level up. In their chat, a moment also stood out when Lewis asked Sha’Carri about the Olympic trials’ pressure and if it was less now that she secured a 100-meter berth.

In response, Sha’Carri Richardson said, “Absolutely not! Any time I touch the track—Olympic trials, in Clermont, LA, anywhere I touch the track—it’s an opportunity for me to work on being my best self. So every time I touch the track, it’s pressure.” Pondering on  Sha’Carri Richardson’s words highlights the intense pressure athletes face to prove themselves and make their hard work count in those fast-paced races. Let’s also look at other track and field stars, like Noah Lyles, who have been open about dealing with and managing the pressure of the Olympic trials.

The Olympic trials pressure is real, not just for Sha’Carri Richardson but also for Noah Lyles

Grant Holloway, like Sha’Carri Richardson, reflected on the intense atmosphere of the USA Track and Field Trials, describing it as a nerve-wracking experience with family and friends watching on home soil. Leading the way in Heat 1 of the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a standout time of 12.96 seconds, he was the only athlete to break the 13-second mark that day. During a chat with Rai Benjamin and Noah Lyles, Holloway delved into how the trials pose more mental challenges than the Olympics themselves.

He said, “Just the mental games that go on here and just being out here in this atmosphere, it is ten times harder here than it is when you actually get to the big stage.” Holloway admitted that, despite claims that it’s easier, he and his peers find the trials the toughest. Competing on home soil, under everyone’s gaze, adds pressure. But he’s tackling it with solid practice and aims to bring that to the track. Confident that a two-day break will boost his semi-final performance, he sees each trial day as a fresh start: “Today is today. After that, everything’s obsolete.”

Noah Lyles, who secured his spot in Paris with a strong 100-meter performance, echoed these sentiments. After his blazing 100m finals in Tracktown, Lyles attributed his improved success since 2021 to better mental preparation and health: “I think what I appreciate the most, is everytime I look at the guy who went out there it’s completely different from the guy that was out here in 2021.” Reflecting on his approach, Lyles shared a laid-back philosophy with NBC in a post-race interview, saying, “Usually I don’t feel pressure because I’m just having fun. All I gotta do is be me.”

He continued, “I constantly tell kids, ‘Be yourself,’ and if people see that as being corny, shoot, I’m corny. But guess what? I’m winning while being corny.” Reflecting on these words, it’s evident how years of hard work and the pressure to perform on home turf are shaping up the trials into an intense showdown. This pressure is clearly fueling the athletes’ Olympic dreams as they strive for the pinnacle stage in Paris. What do you think about these insights from the athletes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!