Women have come a long way in track and field. There was once a time when the track was a male-exclusive sport. However, with time, things have changed. With it, there have been some legendary names who have glorified women’s track and field in past years. One of the biggest examples is Florence Griffith Joyner. Affectionately called Flo-Jo by her fans, the legendary athlete mixed talent with fashion to break a lot of stereotypes. 

Likewise, in modern times, there have been Sha’Carri Richardson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and more taking the track world by storm. However, despite all the success stories written, women in track and field still have to deal with a lot of demons. The main problem for the under-expansion of women’s sports is unequal pay and lack of media coverage. Thus, most of the athletes are unable to afford quality kits. Neither does everybody come into enough limelight to crack big sponsorships and brand endorsements. 

And while this was not enough, there comes extreme body shaming and trolling on the internet. Raising the issue, American sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson stated in an exclusive interview with Essence, “I feel like track and field sometimes does a disservice, especially on the women’s side, by creating a certain narrative of how the track woman should look.” Surprisingly, the US track and field phenom too had to bear the brunt of the same. 

Back in 2019, Richardson too suffered a lot of trolling for her fashion choices. Bursting onto the scene, Richardson was trolled heavily for her hair and nails. However, she turned out to be strong enough to soon turn the trolls into praises. With grit, determination, and a spark in her individuality, she made sure to leave a sparkle on the track world with her fashion statement every time she grabbed the limelight. The hair and nails for which she was once trolled soon became a style statement that now makes fans go gaga over the sprint star.

But for those who do not deserve such ill-treatment, Richardson took a stand for them. She said, “I feel like that does a disservice to some of our women athletes—who may not be the biggest names or have the biggest contracts, but they still are people. They still dedicate their lives. They still get out there and show up.” Sadly, apart from the online trolls, Richardson also suffered from a mental blockage. 

Sha’Carri Richardson opens up about mental struggles

Sha’Carri Richardson was all set to debut in the Tokyo Olympics four years back. However, in the most surprising twist, she tested positive for THC and was banned from participating in the Olympics. Opening up about her struggles, Richardson stated, “Not having that bond of my biological mother during the transition of me getting older… I think that’s what really got me. She was supposed to be my world, and now that she wasn’t there, I usually asked myself, ‘Why am I here?’. It really took me to a very dark place.”

In another shocking revelation, Richardson also mentioned that due to her mental state, she almost wanted to end her life when in junior high school. Thus, apart from preparing for her upcoming World Championships in 2025, Sha’Carri Richardson is also prioritizing her personal growth and mental well-being.