What’s really going on behind the scenes at the Olympics? That’s the million-dollar question every track and field fan is asking! Whether it’s Shericka Jackson’s sudden exit from the 100m due to injury, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal, which is rumored to be a season-ending Achilles injury, or Sha’Carri Richardson’s surprising second-place finish in the 100m final—these twists and turns have everyone scratching their heads. Richardson, a heavy favorite going into the race, was expected to set the track on fire with her world-leading time of 10.71 seconds from the U.S. Olympic Trials. But still, she didn’t make it.

Ultimately, the crown of the fastest woman in the world slipped from Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (PB:10.60) to Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia. Alfred clinched victory, in the women’s 100m, at the Paris Olympics setting a national record of 10.72 seconds despite the rainy weather. Sha’Carri Richardson, finished second with 10.87 seconds, while Melissa Jefferson snagged bronze with 10.92. Now that things have calmed down, it appears that we are starting to understand the reasons behind SCRs inability to secure a gold medal.

On August 4, JuicyGenius, who on X, identifies herself as the founder of Black News Daily, shared a post echoing concerns about the track and field events at the Olympics. She questioned, “Is this why Sha’Carri was off her game and Shelly-Ann pulled out of the 100m?” JuicyGenius shared a screenshot from Instagram user Chill Jillmarie, who detailed how security officials suddenly changed the rules the night before the race, mandating that athletes could only enter via team buses.

The user further stated, “Shelley and Shacarri didn’t not stay in the Olympic village with the other and came to the gate in private transport. Since they denied entry and the gate for athletes, they forced them to walk an HOUR to the front gates and then had to walk all the way back to where the athletes warm up. Essentially they missed warms ups over a rule change that they were not notified of. Shelley rightfully pulled out because that would affect her performance. Shacarri stayed because she was not about to miss another Olympics. This whole Olympics in Paris has been a sh^t show honestly.”

Fraser-Pryce, an eight-time Olympic medalist competing in her fifth Olympics, and Sha’Carri Richardson, often hailed as the Flo Jo of our time faced setbacks moments before the semifinal. A viral video then surfaced showed Fraser-Pryce and Richardson being denied entry at the Olympic warm-up track gate. The video sparked speculation on social media that Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal was due to a last-minute rule change that prevented athletes who did not stay in the Olympic Village from accessing the warm-up area. This also affected SCR as she didn’t do warmup according to this user.

Fact: Warm-ups help athletes prevent injuries by gradually increasing heart rate and muscle flexibility and enhancing performance through improved muscle activation and mental focus.

But in the video that surfaced at that time, Fraser-Pryce is heard expressing frustration, “They changed the rule yesterday. So you’re telling athletes who don’t stay in the village can’t come through the gate? We came through this gate yesterday and went through security without any issues.” When this issue hit X, fans took to the platform to express their outrage and share their thoughts on the situation.

Fans weigh in, on the controversy surrounding Sha’Carri Richardson and Fraser-Pryce

One fan voiced their frustration, stating, “Silver is amazing but it’s even crazier when you add in all the non sense she dealt with that completely threw her off her A game. All the non sense plus No warm up? Sheesh. Sha’carri really her.” But how accurate is this claim? Well, Jamaica’s chef de mission, Ian Kelly, told the BBC, “Mrs Fraser-Pryce was allowed to enter the warm-up track but from another gate from which she was directed to enter from. There is no truth that she was not allowed to enter the stadium. Unfortunately she was not able to compete due to an injury sustained during her final warm-up.” This statement indicates that Sha’Carri Richardson was also permitted entry. Therefore, the claim that they were denied warm-up access seems to be incorrect, as both athletes did attend their warm-up sessions.

One more fan added, “Sha’carri has defeated all odds in her career, when everything has been against her her.”Sha’Carri Richardson had a chance to rewrite her Olympic story but couldn’t fully seize it. But to reach this far, her journey began with struggles, starting three years prior when she set the fastest 100m time at the U.S. trials for Tokyo 2020. However, her Olympic dreams were dashed by a suspension for testing positive for THC, a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

Three years later, Richardson was ready for her Olympic debut and had emerged as one of track and field’s brightest stars. “That’s just authentically who I am. I never play small; this is how I show up in life,” Richardson said. With a personal best of 10.65 seconds from the previous year’s World Championships, where she won double gold, she was a top contender for Olympic gold. Her declaration, “I’m not back, I’m better,” demonstrated her determination to make a triumphant return on the grandest stage, and she did, securing a silver medal.

One more added, “I mean there was no way shacc was running 10.89 in a final she looked better than ever not saying alfred isn’t an amazing athlete but it looked like shacc wasn’t physically there and she was so happy with silver.” Racing just one lane over from Richardson on the rain-slicked purple track at Stade de France, Julien Alfred surged off to an impressive start and powered through the downpour, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead—roughly three body lengths.

Looking at Richardson’s 2023 season, she claimed gold in the 100m at the World Championships in Budapest with a time of 10.65 seconds, the fifth-fastest in history, while Florence Griffith-Joyner holds the record at 10.49 seconds. Richardson also earned gold in the 4 × 100-meter relay and bronze in the 200 meters. Her season best in the 100m was 10.71 seconds, with a personal best of 10.65. Meanwhile, Alfred’s personal and season best was 10.72 seconds.

One final fan added, “I wouldn’t have blamed Sha’Carri had she pulled out, but ofc she has a lot more riding on this (and she medaled) than SFP who is retiring. Just incredibly sad that this is how we say goodbye to her.” Back in February, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce announced that this would be her final Olympics, and it’s disheartening that she won’t be competing further as she now prioritizes her family. However, Sha’Carri Richardson still has a shot at clinching gold in the 4x100m women’s relay. The semifinals are on August 8, with the final set for August 9. Do you think Richardson can bring home the gold for the USA?