For Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2024 Olympics is seemingly more important than most of her peers. Missing out on the chance to show her mettle to the world in Tokyo three years ago, the reigning women’s 100m champ is fixated on setting the record straight this time around. And she’s leaving no stone unturned to make sure her dreams of being remembered as a GOAT of the sport are achieved on the banks of the iconic Seine.

In a bid to reach their goals, athletes are often known to collaborate with brands who share their mentality and Sha’Carri is no exception. While her venture with Nike has justifiably sent fans into a frenzy, Richardson thinks her true potential can be unlocked with some additional help.

In an interview with VIBE yesterday, Richardson talked about how joining hands with POWERADE is benefitting her to focus her efforts on the Paris Olympics. Noting how preparing before track meets is the most crucial part of the job, Sha’Carri said, “…the IT TAKES MORE campaign really resonated with me. I truly believe that the work you put in before the track meet is so important to helping you perform your best.” Being disciplined is an integral part of attaining success, and POWERADE’s campaign helps Sha’Carri to keep her head in the game.

Richardson thinks that POWERADE also understands how she envisions her legacy to be created, and how they can contribute to the dream. “My coaches and I have developed a schedule over the years—with different goals and events in mind—to ensure that I’m at my best when it comes time to compete at any meet,” said the former LSU Tigers athlete, and that’s where her latest venture comes in.

The It Takes More campaign is all about helping athletes understand the high demands of their sport and what they need to do to rise above the rest to showcase their prowess in all its glory. Talkin about how the campaign ticks all the right boxes, keeping up with her own ambitions, the 24-year-old said, “It Takes More highlights that ‘behind-the-scenes grind’ and hard work that athletes everywhere put in to make the Olympics and ultimately take home gold for their country.” However, it’s more than her joining hands with the energy drink brand that’s made her a favorite to shatter the Jamaican dominance in the 100m dash at the upcoming quadrennial event.

Sha’Carri Richardson is always up to walk the extra mile

Sha’Carri is the epitome of dedication and hard work. Talking to Vogue earlier this month, she explained why pushing on despite adversities is just as important as preparing to the best of your abilities. “You keep showing up… No matter what. Most people, they only think of track every four years. The Olympics, that’s all there is—those few seconds on TV. But for me, track is my life on a day-to-day basis. Everything I do—what I eat, what I drink, if I stay up too late—it’s all reflected on the track,” Richardson made it abundantly clear that nothing else matters except for holding on to your dreams through each deed and action every day.

In January, too, the sprinting sensation shed light on how she’s happy to bear the scars only to use them as a morale booster to help keep her fixated on achieving her goals. It’s probably such grit and iron will that’s ensured Sha’Carri’s successful run in 2024. Despite being criticized for several events including the Miramar Invitational, she proved that she wasn’t loitering around behind the doors all that time. Instead, winning the 100m races at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic and then at the US Olympics Team Trials, Richardson showed her intentions for the Paris Games.

How do you think Sha’Carri is prepared for the 2024 Games? Will the rivalry between the USA and Jamaica be finally laid to rest thanks to the extra efforts dished out by the LSU alum? Share your predictions with us in the comments below!