Let’s take a trip back to the US Olympic Trials, where Sha’Carri Richardson stunned the world with a blistering 10.71 seconds to win the women’s 100m final and punch her ticket to her first Olympic Games. Meanwhile, across the waters at the Jamaican Trials, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who was no stranger to the spotlight, secured her spot on the Olympic team with a season’s best 10.91 seconds in the semi-finals, ranking her ninth globally. The stage was set for an epic showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Sha’Carri ready to face her idol, Shelly-Ann. But, in an unexpected twist, Fraser-Pryce had to pull out of the Olympics due to injury, leaving fans heartbroken and the race wide open.

But here’s a fun fact: when Shelly-Ann made her Olympic debut in Beijing 2008, Sha’Carri Richardson was just eight years old, watching her idol from home. In that unforgettable moment, the 37-year-old sprinted to gold with a blazing 10.78 seconds, while a young Richardson cheered from Dallas, dreaming big. Now, with the 2024 Olympics in the rearview, it turns out Fraser-Pryce’s coach saw Richardson as her biggest competition.

Sha’Carri Richardson a threat for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

A few days ago, Netflix dropped the highly anticipated season 2 of Sprint, the gripping documentary series that gives fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the athletes and events of the Diamond League, World Athletics Championships, and the Olympic Games. In episode 3, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s coach, Lawrence Johnson, dropped a few nuggets of wisdom ahead of the Paris Olympics showdown between the Jamaican legend and Sha’Carri Richardson.

Johnson was heard saying, “The semis are gonna be tough, but if you can survive the semis, you got a shot at the title. Flip a coin on the champion. I love Shelly. I love Shelly, but, you know, this is a young person’s game, so Sha’Carri Richardson is very dangerous.” His message was clear: while he holds deep respect for the 37-year-old Fraser-Pryce, he knows that in this game of speed, the youth and explosive power of the 24-year-old Sha’Carri Richardson were a serious threat.

This was before the world even saw the much-anticipated clash between the two legends, and even before injury took Shelly-Ann out of the Olympics. Sha’Carri Richardson went on to clinch a silver medal at the Olympics, while the stunning Julien Alfred shocked the world by snatching the gold. But let’s rewind a bit to the history between the two heavyweights, Sha’Carri and Shelly-Ann.

Their first face-off took place at the 2019 Prefontaine Classic, where, although neither of them claimed the top spot, it was Fraser-Pryce who edged out Richardson by 0.24 seconds. Since then, they’ve met seven more times, with the American emerging victorious in six of those encounters. But recently, the pair crossed paths again—but this time; it wasn’t on the track.

Richardson and Fraser-Pryce reunite!

After their contrasting journeys at the Paris Olympics, Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce recently reunited, but this time, it wasn’t about the track. The two sprinters came together at a Nike event dedicated to women’s empowerment, alongside other powerhouse athletes like Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Sophie Hahn.

It was here that Richardson, always one to support her fellow athletes, chimed in on Instagram, reposting Hahn’s story and commenting “literally” in reply to the Paralympian’s “track queens” caption, showing some love for her teammates. But the excitement didn’t end there! Sha’Carri took to Instagram in her signature style, rocking an all-blue ensemble that screamed confidence and flair. She donned a Nike bomber jacket, knee-high socks, and a killer pair of silver-black shoes that had heads turning. With a bold caption, “1 of 1! The only one! New Nike Women Air silhouette! Coming soon…,” Richardson gave fans an exclusive sneak peek at what’s likely an upcoming release she’s part of.

Whispers around town are suggesting that these could be the new Nike Superfly kicks, designed with a minimalist vibe and a striking silver body. And with her long, red polka-dotted nails and the fierce energy she exudes, Sha’Carri is definitely channeling the legendary Florence Griffith Joyner, reminding everyone why she’s a fashion and athletic force to be reckoned with.