It’s no secret that track & field athletes pour their hearts and souls into their craft, putting in years of sweat and dedication to reach the pinnacle of their sport. Yet, despite their hard work, respect seems to be an elusive prize. Remember Sha’Carri Richardson’s mic-drop moment at the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships? She stepped up not just for herself but for all athletes, calling out the media and saying, “When you guys do interviews, y’all should respect athletes more.”

Similarly, Tara Davis-Woodhall had her own moment, expressing her frustration with reporters mangling her name and openly calling out the disrespect, saying, “Please reporters, do your job to pronounce these athletes’ names correctly. TAR___RUH!!!!!.” You’d think these calls for respect would stick, but it seems we’re back at square one with yet another track & field athlete facing blatant disrespect.

Track & Field National Champion shares a disheartening update after a major career win

In a post on X, Cheickna Traore of Côte d’Ivoire, who made history at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, didn’t hold back his disappointment over the commentary during his standout performance. He shared a post by Coach Alex from Arkansas State University, a respected figure in long jump and triple jump coaching, which tackled the announcer’s negative remarks about Cheickna’s form head-on.

Traore himself vented his frustration, saying, “There’s been some sort of hidden agenda against me this entire year by these announcers. They can say whatever they want about me but make sure they add “national champion” to it as well.” Comments on X highlighted that this disrespect occurred during the live coverage of the race.

Jamaican journalist Paul A Reid took to the comments to explain the situation below Coach Alex’s post and wrote, “Dwight Stones should be taken out of his misery, whatever contract he has @espn needs to cut their losses with him.” As we reflect on this issue brought up by the 23-year-old athlete, it’s vital to acknowledge the magnitude of his achievement, one that undeniably deserves respect and recognition.

Cheickna Traore’s path from NCAA Champion to the 2024 Paris Olympics

Cheickna Traore, representing Penn State, etched his name in track & field history by securing the NCAA 200-meter title at the 2024 Championships. This victory elevated Penn State’s track program, with Traore becoming the first Nittany Lion to claim an NCAA individual outdoor title since 2008. Additionally, his win in the 200-meter event marked a significant milestone for Penn State, as it was the first time in the school’s history that a national championship had been clinched in this event.

Traore’s remarkable track & field performance, clocking in at 19.95 seconds, sealed his dominance on the track and elevated his status as a record-breaker, having set multiple Penn State records throughout the season. As a grad student from Linden, N.J., he set a new school record in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA East Region Preliminaries with a time of 10.15 seconds.

He also set another Penn State record in the 200-meter event with a time of 19.93 seconds. This time also set the Olympic standard, paving the way for Cheickna Traore to represent Ivory Coast at the 2024 Paris Olympics. As he aims for the pinnacle stage, Traore’s Olympic ambitions are clear: first, he aspires to reach an Olympic final, and ultimately, his ultimate goal is to become an Olympic champion.

Cheickna Traore shared on the Penn State athletics website in an article, “And when I say something like becoming an Olympic champion, it sounds crazy, but that’s what has to motivate you and if you don’t have a reason to be going every day, then you’re just doing a sport for nothing.” Reflecting on Cheickna Traore’s journey and his courageous stance against media disrespect, what are your thoughts? Share your insights in the comments below!