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Sha'Carri Richardson snubbed in Sprint 2—Is Netflix missing out on the real star power?

It’s time to head back to Paris—yep, you heard that right! Track and field fans who want to relive the magic of the 2024 Olympics will get the chance, with Netflix dropping Sprint Part 2. The second part of the docuseries is set to premiere on November 13, and World Athletics just released the trailer on October 17 on X. Noah Lyles and Gabby Thomas take the spotlight, but you’ll also see familiar faces like Fred Kerley, Kishane Thompson, Julien Alfred, Kenny Bednarek, Shericka Jackson, and more.

The Netflix trailer kicks off with a spotlight on Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Kishane Thompson, and Gabby Thomas, showing them in some intense moments in Paris. Lyles, fresh off his gold medal win, boldly says, “I’m the fastest, and I’ve got the medals to prove it.” Gabby Thomas, who also grabbed gold in the 200m, shares, “On the track, I’m a whole different person. I know in my heart that I can win.

Fred Kerley chimes in, joking, “Noah’s cocky, arrogant, and all that.” But what really surprised fans was the appearance of Richardson. Despite not being featured in Sprint Part 2, four close-up glimpses of her on the track left viewers curious about her potential involvement.

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Sha’Carri Richardson snagged gold in the 4×100-meter relay and silver in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making her the face of women’s sprinting since her big win in Budapest last year. She was a major highlight in Season 1 of Sprint, where an entire episode was dedicated to her world title victory. The first season racked up 2.4 million views in its first week on Netflix, making it the platform’s sixth-most-watched series globally.

You’d think Netflix would want to feature such a talked-about star, right? No, back in August, fans found out that Sha’Carri wouldn’t be in Season 2, which left many feeling frustrated. One fan even said, “No Sha’Carri, won’t be watching; everybody outside of Noah is a snooze fest.” Now, with a glimpse of her in the trailer, everyone is buzzing with curiosity: is she actually part of Season 2 after all?

Fans question Sha’Carri Richardson’s role in SPRINT 2

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Sha'Carri Richardson snubbed in Sprint 2—Is Netflix missing out on the real star power?

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One fan vented their frustration, saying, “Since my girl isn’t featured, let’s see who y’all will pick as your scapegoat if the season ends up boring.” Another jumped in, asking, “Why is Sha’Carri on there if she isn’t featured?! WTF?!” Someone else responded, “She demanded all her scenes be deleted after the Olympics.” Meanwhile, Gabby Thomas is the star in Sprint 2, bringing home three gold medals and making a name for herself in American track and field. Her dominance in the women’s 200-meter race and her roles in the U.S. relay teams for the 4x100m and 4x400m really highlight the relentless drive that this series captures. The official trailer is out now, giving fans a sneak peek into the unforgettable stories of the world’s fastest athletes.

This season will have four episodes, each lasting 45 minutes. Interestingly, Jamaican legends Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah were also not featured this time, even though they were in the first season. Thompson-Herah missed the Paris Games due to an injury she got just weeks before, while Fraser-Pryce made it to the 100m semifinals but had to withdraw because of a hamstring issue.

The trailer for SPRINT Season 2 has officially dropped, revealing an impressive lineup of top athletes who are set to take center stage. Featured in the trailer are:

Noah Lyles1.5 million
Julien Alfred153k
Letsile Tebogo167k
Gabby Thomas1.1 million
Kishane Thompson98.1k
Fred Kerley1.3 million
Kenny Bednarek303k
Melissa Jefferson76.2k
Shericka Jackson292k
Marcell Jacobs1.1 million

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This brings the total to 6,089,300, but it’s worth noting that Sha’Carri Richardson boasts an impressive 4.3 million followers—more than all of them combined and over half of the total. If they had featured Sha’Carri in SPRINT Season 2, it could have generated even more hype and viewership for Netflix!

One fan added, “My girl Sha’Carri isn’t featured in the series, but she appeared more times than your faves😏 Tell me who the buzz and clout magnet is again🤭😂???” Another said, “Noah cracks me up ‘Everybody gets a chance to get 2nd’ 🤣🤣🤣 Shericka made me emotional ‘I am the fastest woman in the 200, & if I don’t ever get to win gold in the Olympics’ 😭😭. My Jacko, you will win gold 💪💪 And why are dey showing my baby Sha’Carri? She wasn’t featured an.” In the trailer, Noah Lyles used the phrase “Everybody gets a chance to get second,” highlighting the competitive spirit of the series.

Noah Lyles had a noteworthy experience at the Paris 2024 Olympics. After securing gold in the 100 meters, he aimed to double up by winning the 200 meters, an event he has excelled in for years. However, during the 200m final, Lyles encountered significant fatigue and finished third with a time of 19.70 seconds, earning a bronze medal. What was particularly challenging was the fact that Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 just two days prior to the race. Despite feeling unwell, he chose to compete, believing he could still perform at a high level. His determination led him to race through the illness, though it clearly impacted his performance.

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Shericka Jackson withdrew from the women’s 200 meters at the Paris Games due to a leg injury sustained in a previous race. This withdrawal is a significant loss for the Jamaican team, as key athletes like Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also did not compete, further weakened Jamaica’s presence in the sprint events. One last fan added, “Hopefully Sha’Carri got paid image royalties or that phone call from her lawyers is coming.”

Well, if Netflix added footage of SCR without their consent, it could lead to several serious consequences. Legally, athletes might pursue action for invasion of privacy or misappropriation of likeness, potentially resulting in lawsuits against Netflix. Public backlash could arise, with fans and critics condemning the platform’s unethical practices, leading to negative press and potential boycotts. As SPRINT Season 2 gears up for its release, the buzz surrounding Sha’Carri Richardson highlights the drama and excitement of the track and field world.

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