“If they can’t find one thing to talk about, they’ll find another,” said Sha’Carri Richardson a few weeks before the 33rd Olympiad! However open she is with her fans, she ends up being the talk of the town. And another was added to the list! Did Sha’Carri Richardson have heart surgery? Why does she have a scar on her chest? Or does she even have a scar? These were the questions that surged on the internet during the Olympic trial. 

Now, before the alarm bells go ticking, it is good to know that the rumors are false. Sha’Carri Richardson never had heart surgery and neither does she have a scar on her chest. While it is quite difficult to say what really sparked the rumors, it can be assumed that the fans mistook a possible style statement as a scar.

For Richardson, navigating public opinion has become part and parcel of her career. With success comes scrutiny, and maintaining focus amid constant speculation is a challenge. Speaking about self-understanding she stated, “And once you’re viewed differently, you have to have a certain understanding of yourself.” Well, even though Richardson did not have heart surgery, she did have some complications to fight previously. 

Shining bright at the US trials three years back, Sha’Carri Richardson was all set for Tokyo. In a shocking twist, she was found with THC in her blood, which led to her immediate disqualification, shattering her Olympic dreams. However, she addressed the issue when she posted on her Twitter, “I am human,” and in a follow-up interview later, she added to her emotion, “I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.” A chunk of the track and field world resonated with her felt that the decision was quite harsh for Richardson as she 

The sprinter herself protested, citing Russia’s Kamila Valieva as an example. “Can we get a solid answer on the difference?” Richardson pointed out that Valieva was permitted to compete despite testing positive for a banned heart medication. “The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady,” But this was not the only time Sha’Carri Richardson suffered a setback. 

Sha’Carri Richardson displayed her ‘war wounds’ 

Earlier this year, Sha’Carri Richardson was preparing for Paris in full throttle. En route to her quest for greatness, Richardson had to overcome minor inconveniences. In an Instagram story shared in January, the 24-year-old gave her fans a glimpse at her latest injury.

The story portrayed a bloody ankle which the 24-year-old liked to address as “War wounds.” Richardson further mentioned that these wounds inspire her to strive for greater glory. And that’s why Richardson says that she “Gotta love them.”

Surely, after looking at Richardson’s antics so far, all her hard work seems to have paid off finally. Appearing at the US Trials, Richardson clocked the fastest time of 2024, 10.71s. Thus, carrying such a huge morale booster to Paris, Richardson will surely look to continue her dominance to clinch the ultimate Olympic glory.

This article is updated on July 27th with the latest information.