Sha’Carri Richardson has finally managed to put behind her demons from Tokyo. Competing in the finals of the US 100m Olympic trials, Richardson clinched the top spot with the world’s fastest time. Richardson clocked a blistering 10.71s to qualify for the Paris Olympics with Aleia Hobbs (10.80s) and Twanisha Terry (10.89s) completing the podium. Soon after the victory, her ‘mama’, Betty Harp, was seen breaking down in tears. 

Indeed, the moment was one to relish for Sha’Carri Richardson and Betty Harp. Back in 2021, Richardson achieved the same feat competing at the Tokyo Olympic trials. With her ‘mama’ watching from the stands, Richardson shrugged off a slow start to accelerate in the second half to clinch the pole position. With her Tokyo confirmed, Richardson and her family were celebrating. And it was then that everything came crashing down. What seemed like a routine drug test got serious and Richardson was found guilty of having THC in her blood. 

This report led to her disqualification and thus began Richardson’s four-year-long quest for Paris. Amidst these years, the grind was for real, and Betty Harp was always by the US sprinter’s side. And now, when Richardson had finally completed her redemption, Betty Harp could not control her tears. Watching from the stands, Harp broke down as soon as Sha’Carri Richardson crossed the finish line as the number one runner. Richardson immediately went up to the stands and hugged her ‘mama’ while dedicating the victory to her. And this was not the only time Richardson has expressed her love towards her ‘mama’. 

Sha’Carri Richardson reflects on Betty Harp and her family’s support

Sha’Carri Richardson got the biggest heartbreak just days before her Tokyo trials. Her biological mother, Shayaria passed away in 2021, leaving Sha’Carri in a state of shock. It was then her grandmother Betty Harp stepped in and took care of Sha’Carri as her own child. Reflecting on her grandmother, the US sprinter commented, “I owe her my life.” 

Richardson also mentioned how her family helped and supported her in her times of distress. She said, “I’m highly grateful for them. Without them, there would be no me. Without my grandmother, there would be no Sha’Carri Richardson.” Thus, with all the support coming her way, Sha’Carri Richardson is looking well set on her path to claiming Olympic glory in Paris.