Alana Reid has been making waves in the track and field community since the Paris Olympics. After finishing fifth in the 4x100m relay in Paris, Reid has harnessed her talents to great effect in the latter half of 2024. Competing at the U20 World Track and Field Championships, she delivered a stellar performance to win the gold medal in the 100m. With a time of 11.17 seconds, this marked Reid’s first global title.

However, Reid wasn’t finished yet. She maintained her momentum for the 4x100m relay team in Lima, Peru. Not only did she contribute to Jamaica’s victory, adding another accolade to their track and field achievements, but her performance also echoed the success of her mentor, Sha’Carri Richardson. The 19-year-old’s triumph bore several similarities to Richardson’s past victories.

Alana Reid gets rid of identical foes to follow Sha’Carri Richardson’s footsteps to glory

Spearheaded by Alana Reid, Jamaica achieved a season’s best time of 43.39s in the 4x100m relay, securing their third U20 World Track and Field Championship. Although the entire team—comprising Briana Campbell, Alliah Baker, and Shanoya Douglas—delivered exceptional performances, Reid was the anchor who orchestrated their success. While reveling in her newfound glory, the young track and field star shared her excitement following the victory.

According to an X post from the account named Noel Francis, Reid stated, “The key to this race was for us to come out here and give our best. We did fairly well even though it is a bit chilly out there… I know that once I got to the baton, I would just run to the line. So it was just for us to come out here and do our best. And I think we did that today. Next for us is to go back to the join board. We have training camps.” The 19-year-old also mentioned how one of their team members had to leave the 4x100m for the 4x400m event. 

However, a quick scan of Alana Reid’s victory will reveal some interesting coincidences with Sha’Carri Richardson. Training together, Richardson faced a similar weather challenge in Paris. While running in the 4x100m event, Paris was pouring down and Richardson showed immaculate skills to breeze through the slippery track to take Team USA to victory. Similarly, it was also raining in Peru when Reid anchored Jamaica to victory much like her mentor. And speaking of her mentor, Alana Reid only has good things to say about Sha’Carri Richardson. 

Guided by Sha’Carri Richardson, 19-year-old Alana Reid hopes to follow Fraser-Pryce’s footsteps

Sha’Carri Richardson has turned out to be a guide and inspiration for young Alana from the day she started training with her. Reid has considered Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce her idol and hopes to carry Fraser-Pryce’s baton forward to make her nation proud. And to pull off the same, she did not hesitate once to take up the opportunity of training together with her idol’s biggest rival, Sha’Carri Richardson.

Now, Reid who has been training alongside the Olympic silver medalist revealed her experience of being so close to Richardson. “Where Sha’Carri is concerned, it is a good feeling being around her”, shared Reid. The 19-year-old has also received valuable advice from Richardson who now is already a seasoned athlete. Reid herself shared, “She teaches me a lot and shows me many things. There are times when I make a few errors, and she’ll pull me aside and give me advice.” And as it appears, Richardson’s experience and pieces of advice are probably coming to the rising Jamaican sprinter’s help as Reid has been securing accolades and medals with ease.