Sha’Carri Richardson missed out on the Summer Games in Tokyo. But she finally debuted on the world’s biggest stage in Paris. Unfortunately, the sprinter fell short in the 100m finals. She had to settle for a second-place finish with 10.87 seconds on the clock. But she redeemed herself in the Zurich diamond league—against the same rival who bested her in the French capital. However, Brussels was the 24-year-old’s undoing. With a disappointing result, she drew the curtains on this season.

The sprinter is back in her hometown. She visited her alma mater, David W. Carter High School, on September 21. She might not have claimed gold in the 100m finals, but as the anchor leg in the 4x100m event, she scorched to the finish and finally seized her maiden Olympic gold. The track and field star received a grand welcome into the gym by the school’s marching band, and the 24-year-old appeared to be in good spirits.

Dallas ISD shared a few snippets on Instagram, captioned, “👀 SPOTTED: Olympic gold medalist Sha’Carri Richardson made a special visit to David W. Carter High School.” Students can even be seen snapping pictures with her in front of a poster that stated, “Sha’Carri Richardson, The Path to Gold.“ So why was the Olympian there? Carter High School locked horns with Wilmer-Hutchins on Friday night. However, during the game, the Dallas native was honored with the track named after her at Kincaide Stadium. 

What makes the track so special? During her time at David W. Carter High School, Sha’Carri Richardson used to compete on the very same track. Now, it will display her name in big, bold lettering, with additional information about who the ‘I’m not back, I’m better’ sprinter is along with her accolades and achievements. Unveiled during halftime, and the Olympian couldn’t help but smile wide. 

The Dallas native exclaimed, “I’m proud to come out of the DISD. I ran on this track.” She reiterates that she started her career right here. “So, for it to be named after me now, it’s an honor.” However, she clarified how she understood she had a responsibility to uphold. “Where I come from continues to support me, no matter how far I go. And I will never, ever, ever let people forget where I come from.” The celebrations might have let her get over her Diamond League sting, but how did she do on the track? 

Sha’Carri Richardson’s devastating end to the season

Determined to reclaim the 100m crown, the 4×100 Olympic gold medalist stepped onto a damp track at the Zurich Diamond League. But why did fans look forward to this race? The race would be the first time she locked horns with her ‘rival’ Julian Alfred since the 100m finals in Paris. Many anticipated that Richardson’s sluggish start might keep her away from a win. This frustrating pattern has been a thorn in the sprinter’s side for quite a while now. 

Things looked grim when she was relatively slow off the blocks and trailed behind in 5th position by the halfway point. However, Sha’Carri Richardson suddenly picked up her speed and turbocharged her way to the finish line in 10.84 seconds. What about the Saint Lucian? She trailed behind the American in 10.88 seconds. On to the finale in Brussels next! Could she do it again? That’s what fans hoped for!

The stage was set for the biggest battle between the two. The score before the finale was 2-2. However, all that excitement was for naught. Still riding the waves of her victory in Zurich, the odds were very much in her favor. Much to her dismay, another sluggish start derailed the race before it even ended. Julien Alfred was quick off the blocks and successfully held on to her lead.

In 10.88 seconds, the Saint Lucian had done it. She was now the Diamond League Champion. Sha’Carri Richardson’s eighth-place finish was a stark difference to her time in Zurich. The sprinter slowly made her way past the finish line in 11.23 seconds, settling for an eighth-place finish. Unfortunately, the sprinter had just 16 points on the DL table. With this, she ended her season empty-handed. However, her blast from the past at the Kincaide Stadium track has definitely lifted her spirit.