41.03 seconds. It was the fastest time ever at a World Championship. But Sha’Carri Richardson, Tamari Davis, Gabby Thomas, and Twanisha Terry successfully showed why they were the best. Their Jamaican rivals clocked in at 41.21 seconds and this made Team USA’s victory sweeter. No doubt, Richardson stated, “We all had a common goal, and that was to come out here and win.”

With the 2024 Paris Olympics just around the corner, Team USA aims at another relay win. But there seems to be some difference of opinion between Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green regarding the same. What’s the issue?

On an episode of Ready Set Go, Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green were discussing how Team USA would fare in the women’s 4x100m relay. In a short snippet from the episode, Gatlin asked Green what his ideal lineup would be. And the conversation went something like this:

Green: “Every time she rolled this curve. I’m going Sha’Carri out the hole. To Tee Tee Terry, to Gabby, to MJ. That’s what I’m doing.”
Gatlin: “Really? … I’m flipping MJ and Sha’Carri.”
Green: “Not doing that.”
Gatlin: “No you, come on dog. First of all, two people who bring insurance with them, all state. That is Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson. They have superior top-end speed. If you in striking distance, you getting caught.”
Green: “But I’m telling you, the analytics show that this girl, Sha’Carri Richardson, dominates the turn. She dominates the turn. Not by a little bit, bro! By a lot. … She don’t get rolled up until later on in the race.”

Clearly, Gatlin believes Sha’Carri Richardson would be beneficial for the team in the final stretch. If push comes to shove, he feels Richardson would be able to close in on any gaps and cross the finish line first. Despite Green’s expertise, many fans weren’t convinced by his hypothesis. Green is a former professional track and field athlete for the Bahamas. Post-retirement, he started track and field coaching. As a result, he has taken on coaching responsibilities for many Olympic athletes, including Justin Gatlin.

Rodney Green’s relay gamble on Sha’Carri Richardson sparks fan outrage!

While Gatlin and Green shared their thoughts, what did fans have to say? Well, they had some strong thoughts to share in the comment section. One fan stated, “Yeah heck naw, her biggest weakness is her start so why would you want her out the blocks, as long as she’s healthy she should anchor.“

Green has previously stated how Richardson doesn’t have a strong start either, and fans weren’t afraid to call him out for that. 

One fan offered a counter-argument, “But Shacarri isn’t a great starter unfortunately. Gabby has to run 3rd leg and Shacarri anchor.“

Also, let us not forget that Richardson will be making her Olympic debut. While she was slated to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games, a failed drug test shattered her dreams. With Paris offering new hopes, the sprinter might not want to experiment too much. She will want to bank on her strengths.

So along similar lines, a fan stated their ideal lineup. “Bruh. MJ lead off, TT back stretch, Gabby on the 3rd leg and let Sha Carri bring it home. Forget that nonsense!” Looks like Gatlin and a few fans agree on what perfection looks like! 

Another fan asked, “Why would I put my best top end leg in 1st curve? We just won the world championships with her anchoring why change it?” The 2023 World Championships are a testament to Richardson’s role as anchor. If she did it then, she can do it again in Paris!

But let us not forget her wobbly start at the Olympic trials. The opening night of the U.S. Olympic track trials witnessed the track and field star compete with one of her shoelaces untied. Though her start was not the best, it didn’t matter because she knew she would end the race- her greatest talent.

Within 10.88 seconds, she found herself crossing the finish line before anyone else. “That tells me I’m prepared,” she said. No doubt, one fan confessed, “First time since I’ve started watching yall when I can say “yall trippin!”“

Sha’Carri Richardson unfortunately failed to qualify for the 200m in Paris. But fans will still get to watch her dominate the track in the 100m and 4x100m relay. While Rodney Green’s ideal lineup has caused a stir among fans, we will get to see how things turn out in Paris.

Do you agree with Green or would you rather have Richardson blaze through the final stretch at the French capital? Let us know!