Along with being a superb sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson’s style statements have become a sort of urban lore within the track and field community. While she has yet to match the iconic Flo-Jo’s records, Richardson’s fashion sense has become quite popular in its own right. Considering how explosive her style is, it isn’t too surprising that Sha’Carri has had to only fall back on her family to develop the acquired taste.

In a recent interview with Nylon, Richardson discussed her looks and what helped her to carve out a niche for herself on and off the track. “If you look good, you feel good, you do good,” said the athlete in the interview about why she places fashion on such a high pedestal. Not stopping there, she also shed light on how her family inspired her to adopt an elaborate style statement in her daily life.

Richardson revealed that it was her sisters who gave her an early taste of fashion. “It would definitely be from my sisters — understanding the silk press. I loved it. I just grew up seeing that on the women in my family.” stated the reigning world champion in the women’s 100m race, while also noting that seeing her family members sport “creative” nails growing up made her go for a similar look as well.

With the 2024 Olympics around the corner, all eyes are on Sha’carri. Being troubled by doping allegations, she was barred from participating in Tokyo in 2021, but Richardson is determined to prove her mettle once and for all this time in Paris. But a steep climb ahead is guaranteed.

Fashion won’t be enough to make Sha’Carri Richardson a standout name in Paris

Sha’Carri’s eccentric fashion has often brought about parallels to be drawn between her and the fastest woman in history, the late Florence Griffith-Joyner. While Richardson has been making waves since last year’s World Championships, she has a long way to go still before matching Fl-Jo’s thunderous 10.49 seconds record in the 100m sprint. Before meeting with Griffith-Joyner on the list of the fastest women of all time, Sha’Carri will have to first overcome several other looming figures in the sport to seal her place among the greatest sprinters of all time. Sha’Carri’s long-time rivals from Jamaica Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, both of who have a long history with the American in several tournaments, are ahead of Richardson on the list. With the upcoming Olympics potentially being Shelly-Ann’s last Games, Sha’Carri could be looking at tremendous competition.

However, the good news is that at last month’s Prefontaine Classic, Richardson managed to beat the second-fastest woman of all time, Elaine Thompson-Herah, who will also be flying to Paris with hopes of adding more to her already expansive resume. However, the task doesn’t end anytime soon and the upcoming national team trials will once again require Sha’Carri to bring out her A-game if she wishes to set the records straight this time around on the banks of the Seine.