Sha’Carri Richardson Qualified for Paris Olympics, but Who’s the Biggest Hurdle to Her First Gold Medal?

“We didn’t put the world on notice. The world already know who we were,” Sha’Carri Richardson, boldly declared at the Hayward Field press conference just hours after securing her ticket to the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old has been anticipating this moment since 2021, after missing out on Tokyo. Now, as she takes on the mantle of world leader in the 100m event, her sights are set firmly on breaking the 20-year jinx, but who stands in her way?

Richardson qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the 100-meter final at the Olympic trials. She finished in first place with a time of 10.71 – the fastest time in the 100m in the world this year.

Sha’Carri Richardson to compete against strong competitors on French tracks

While Sha’Carri Richardson was making waves at Hayward Field, claiming the title of the world leader in the 100m, in Jamaica, two of her toughest rivals were gearing up for the upcoming showdown in Paris. One of them, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the eight-time Olympic medalist and arguably the most consistent women sprinter in Olympic history, appeared at the Jamaican Olympic trials after facing one event. However, in the trial, she earned her 100m Olympic qualification by finishing the race in 10.94 seconds in third spot. The Paris Olympics will be her farewell to the sport and she will be determined to go out on top.

The 37-year-old Jamaican icon has claimed the gold podium at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and a silver at the 2020 games in Tokyo. This makes her a strong contender for the top prize yet again. Sha’Carri’s other nemesis, Shericka Jackson, also participated in the Jamaican Olympic trials.

Before coming to the trial, Jackson had not been in her best touch on the track in this season. However, on June 28, the fifth-fastest woman alive won the race in 10.84 seconds, clinching her third national title in a row. At the Tokyo Olympics, Jackson won bronze in the 100m and is also a two-time world 100m silver medallist.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old stood out at the Jamaican trials as she upset two-time Olympic gold medalist. Tia Clayton hit a time of 10.90 seconds, clinching her spot at the Paris Olympics 2024 as she finished second. Earlier, in the semifinals, she hit her personal best time of 10.86 seconds.

Here’s a table to look at the comparison of their timings closely: 

So, the challenge for Sha’Carri Richardson is daunting. But the thing that might work for her is that she is well-prepared this season compared to her Jamaican opponents. The gap in season-best timings proves that fact. Furthermore, at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, she demonstrated her upper hand over both Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.

Also, in Tokyo, Elaine Thompson-Herah continued the Jamaican legacy by winning gold medals in the 100 and 200m, following her similar success in Rio. However, she won’t be able to attempt a historic triple-double having pulled out of the Jamaican trials due to an Achilles tear

Still, in order to achieve something bigger at the Olympics, Richardson will have to overcome the trends that have been visible over the last four occasions. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jamaican women athletes have dominated the 100m dash Olympic event. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has consistently graced the podium in all four Olympics since Beijing, while American athletes have achieved this feat only twice.

So, as of now, that situation proves the balanced position of the needle to take up the Olympic crown. However, Sha’Carri Richardson also has to face other fierce athletes apart from her Jamaican rivals. 

Sha’Carri Richardson is feeling the pressure already 

Another strong contender to clinch the Olympics gold in 100m is Daryll Neita – Britain’s second-fastest female ever. In 2022, she set her personal best of 10.90. She is currently behind her teammate Dina Asher-Smith by .07 seconds. “My goals are through the roof. I don’t put limits on myself at all,” the two Olympic bronze medalist told BBC Sport about her Paris dream. “100 per cent I am aiming for individual medals this summer. I don’t see why anyone shouldn’t believe they can; everyone should aim to be the best.”

Saint Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred is another contender for the 100m gold with a season-best of 10.78s. She had locked horns with Richardson at the Prefontaine Classic, coming out at the top spot with 10.83s.

Despite the tough competition around, Sha’Carri Richardson is ready to prove herself, especially after the battles she fought after her Olympic trials event in 2021. Due to charges from USADA for taking banned substances, she had to give up on her dream, despite finishing first in the 100m trial event. This time, the emotional side of her personality shone through more than the fiery athlete, as she gave a spontaneous reaction after crossing the finish line.

In that bite, she said, “I feel honored. I feel every chapter I’ve been through in my life prepared me for this moment.” The moment was felt to be breaking all those shackles that bound her with all the past bitter experiences. Moreover, now she is moving toward leaping, to making herself known among the big names. And that responsibility comes with pressure. 

Later, in an interview with NBC, the LSU Tigers alum said, “Wherever I’m at, anytime I touch the track, it’s an opportunity for me to work on my best self being my best self. So every time I touch the track, it’s pressure.” It is just a matter of weeks before the track and field community and the world know who among these sprinters clinch the gold.