Sha’Carri Richardson vs the Jamaicans. It is a rivalry that will take center stage at Stade de France. The on-track competition, though, does not seem to be present off the track; even in Jamaica. Reactions from Kingston’s National Stadium were evidence of the same as the 2023 World Champion was enjoying the atmosphere and mingling with the spectators in the bleachers.

She went viral for her appearance at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Notably, track blogger Earl H. Bailey shared on X, “World 100m champion, American Shacarri Richardson, mingled with the fans in the bleachers and had fun at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston. Welcome to Speed Street Shacarri!” This warm reception contrasts with the tensions that previously existed between Richardson and Jamaican sprinters.

In the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Richardson took a significant step towards ending the rivalry narrative between Jamaica and America by offering a heartwarming tribute to her Jamaican counterpart. Following a strong performance against Fraser-Pryce and Team Jamaica, Richardson addressed the media. In a sincere moment, she highlighted the age gap between herself and the veteran Fraser-Pryce, stating, “I literally grew up watching her. I just want to say she is an amazing athlete.”

However, it appears those rivalries have been set aside, with the Jamaican track community now embracing Richardson as a “sister” from shared Caribbean roots. A similar gesture of Jamaican-American support was seen at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in August where Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100-meter final with a time that set a championship record of 10.65 seconds. She beat her Jamaican rivals Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to take the gold medal.

Later fans were treated with a sequence of pictures that Richardson and Jackson posted on the Budapest tracks just before their 200-meter finals match. While America is strongly cheering on their favorite woman sprinter, Richardson also made her place in the hearts of Jamaican fans. But did you know that the American has Jamaican roots? She is of Jamaican descent. But this did not stop her from previously speaking against Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. What had happened?

The world of track and field saw tensions flare in 2021 between retired sprint king Usain Bolt and the outspoken American talent Sha’Carri Richardson. Bolt’s advice to Richardson sparked a war of words after she received a one-month ban for testing positive for cannabis, which resulted in her losing a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

“I would tell Sha’Carri to train harder and to be focused and not say too much … If you talk that big talk you have to back it up. So just train hard and focus on that and try to come back do it and then talk about it.” To this, Richardson wrote on Instagram, “Y’all haven’t even heard the half of me.”

Richardson returned to the track in 2021 August at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene and finished last out of nine runners in the 1oom, which was won by Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah. Usain Bolt stated, “Jamaicans don’t like when people talk s–t about us because we are a very proud people… It definitely gave those women the extra push [to win.]”

However, coming back to Richardson’s appearance at the National Stadium in Kingston, her Jamaican fans were elated to see her. What did they have to say?

Divided by nations, united by athletic idols’ supremacy

American fans are already rallying behind Sha’Carri Richardson on social media when anyone dares to question her caliber on track and field. One of the most memorable parts of the evening—even though Richardson wasn’t competing in Jamaica—was when a large number of ecstatic Jamaican fans got to take pictures with her. Several fans used the word ‘sister’ for her.

One X user wrote, “Nothing will separate us from the love we have for our Jamaican Brothers and Sisters. We want all to prosper and do well. One Love.”

A particular fan was flummoxed by the fact that Richardson was the main attraction for track and field fans. Considering her track record and her rivalry with Jamaican athletes, who wouldn’t want to get a glimpse of her?