“Little Nervous”: Losing Season Debut, Sha’Carri Richardson Makes an Honest Confession at Xiamen Diamond League

A couple of weeks ago, it was 19-year-old Torrie Lewis who was “slightly terrified” after being entered into her first Diamond League event. The Australian gave herself a goal: “I’d better hustle at Nationals and improve my PB.” During the 200m event, that’s precisely what she did, improving it from 23.02s to 22.96s. With this improvement came a gold medal, and what’s more? She handed a defeat to Sha’Carri Richardson. And as night fell, it was the 100m world champion who admitted to feeling a “little nervous.”

Richardson’s first individual race of the Olympic year didn’t go as planned after starting her season relatively late. During the post-match conference, the 24-year-old explained the emotions coming into the event as well as how she felt about the defeat. “I feel really good about it being a season opener,” she said. Despite having to settle for the silver medal, the American seemed pleased with her outing. 

Considering this was her first event of the year, Sha’Carri added, “It’s kind of late for me in this season to open up. I was a little nervous, but once I got on track, it felt like home, so I felt really good with this first performance.” With this, she also flaunted her never-back-down attitude with a declaration, pointing to what’s to come in upcoming events.

“I know what I need to work on. Me and my coach… I’m pretty sure by the time I get back to the warm-up area, he’s already formulation on how to get better for the next race.” She threw her weight behind her support staff, knowing that things would likely get better for her from here on out, especially now that those first-event nerves have worn off. 

Last year, the former LSU Tiger athlete participated in the Doha Diamond League, winning her trademark 100m battle. With that in mind, the interviewer asked if she was focusing only on the 100m. Sha’Carri Richardson’s response? “I definitely want to make the team in both (100m and 200m). I’m not one of those athletes who does just one event,” she smiled and added.

As for the 19-year-old who took home the gold, Torrie Lewis was a little shocked after the race. In an interview with Citius Mag, she said, “I didn’t notice I beat them until I saw the replay, and I was like, ‘Holy sh*t. Holy cr*p.’ So surreal. My goal, honestly, was just to hold on as long as I could.” Lewis knew she had an edge over the rest of the competition because, unlike most, the Xiamen Diamond League wasn’t her first event of 2024.

On the other hand, Sha’Carri did not participate in any competitive race after the memorable Budapest track and field affair. So, her “nervous” feeling was justified. She may not have gotten the result she wanted here, but in the coming days, she’ll likely feel as confident as ever as her dream still lingers on the Paris Olympics. 

Sha’Carri Richardson remains steady in upholding her slogan of being “better”

After registering pivotal performances in Budapest Worlds last year, Sha’Carri Richardson famously claimed, “I’m not back, I’m better.” Despite losing the top step of the podium today, those words echoed when the two-time world champion vowed to make improvements wherever she felt necessary. She’s doing that not just to continue to be the champion she is but also to be the athlete she wants to become. 

She told PEOPLE, “That slogan comes from knowing that I’ve been in the world. I’ve been in the world in a way that not necessarily is the way a lot of people could handle or really bounce back or survive.” A positive drug test at the US Trials for the Tokyo Olympics thwarted her chances of participating in the Games. But she’s bounced back, like she said.

The sprinter added, “I’m wiser. I’m calmer, I’m disciplined and I’m more focused on the responsibility that I have as well as my passion for what I do.” With these words, it is evident that Richardson is extremely passionate and self-assured. There’s no doubt she’ll work towards her Paris Olympics dream with this mindset.