via Imago
Image credits : Imago
via Imago
Image credits : Imago
Sha’Carri Richardson ran with unstoppable energy, making time come to a standstill! Not even a shoelace could hinder her! On June 22nd at the Olympic trials in Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, Richardson raced across the finish line in a breathtaking 10.71 seconds — the fastest women’s 100m time globally this year! Her speed secured her place in the Olympics. Now, finally, she is “officially qualified for her first Olympics, no ifs or buts!” Yet, with SCR, controversy seems like an albatross around her neck.
Recently, ESPN shared a post on X, which featured a simple and factual comparison of the records of Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson. Both athletes have a personal best of 10.65 seconds in the 100m, which was pretty much highlighted in the post. It also featured Richardson’s recent performance at the trials, where she clocked 10.71 seconds. However, the caption of the post reads, “Sha’Carri Richardson has run two of the three fastest 100m times in the world since last year.”
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Sherika Jackson in the last year 10.65 and 10.70. We do not hate any other athlete but the blatant omission of other people’s performances is downright disrespectful to the sport. Healthy friendly competition or rivalry is good for the sport but not when you try to…..
— Kambeckant (@Kambeckant69993) June 25, 2024
Richardson’s 10.65-second record was set last year in Budapest, where she clinched the gold medal. Shericka Jackson followed with a time of 10.72 seconds, and five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce came third with 10.77 seconds.
The post also states, “She heads to Paris aiming to become the first American woman to officially win gold in the 100m since 1996.” In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, it was Yolanda Gail Devers-Roberts who achieved this feat for the USA, clocking 10.94 seconds. Now, it’s Sha’Carri Richardson’s turn. However, the post has sparked controversy, especially among Jamaican fans who are proud of their athletes, typically Shericka Jackson, a four-time world champion.
The Jamaican fan stated, “Sherika Jackson in the last year 10.65 and 10.70. We do not hate any other athlete but the blatant omission of other people’s performances is downright disrespectful to the sport. Healthy friendly competition or rivalry is good for the sport but not when you try to…..” A fan was reminiscing about Shericka Jackson’s success in September 2023 when she clinched the 100m victory, at the Diamond League clocking in at 10.70 seconds. Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson crossed the finish line fourth, in that race with a time of 10.80 seconds.
Shericka Jackson vs. Sha’Carri Richardson – survival of the fittest
Shericka Jackson, an athlete with a track record of four world championship titles, is eyeing a dual participation in the 100m and 200m races at the upcoming Paris Olympics. She is highly esteemed as a contender to clinch victory in both disciplines on behalf of Jamaica. Currently ranked second globally in the 100m sprint and holding the 1st position in the 200m category, Jackson showcases her skills with a personal best time of 21.41 seconds. Noteworthy moments from her performances this season include a sprint of 11.03 seconds in the 100m race at Kingston National Stadium, on May 4th, 2024.
Sha’Carri Richardson has achieved success, in two world championships. She set a record of 21.92 seconds in the 200m event, held at the Nemzeti Atlétikai Kozpont in Budapest on August 25, 2023. Her top performance this season was clocked at 22.99 seconds in the 200m race at Egret Stadium in Xiamen. In relay competitions, Richardson played a role in achieving a team time of 43.04 seconds in the 4x100m relay event on March 30 2024. Who do you predict will emerge victorious in Paris? Feel free to share your thoughts.
