Shamed by USA Last Time, Sha’Carri Richardson Takes Better Mental Health Approach for Paris Olympics 2024: “Falling in a Deeper Love”

Sha’Carri Richardson’s mental toughness in the past came under a scanner several times. The track and field community remained a witness to her issue with substance addiction, which brought her to shaky ground in 2021. As a result, Richardson had to lose her Tokyo Olympics participation chance, facing a ban order from USADA. She had tried to defend herself at that point, expressing her grief because of her mother’s demise. Yet, no one had listened to SCR’s relentless plea to consider her case on humanitarian grounds. But now, she seems to be in the mood to change the popular perception of her mental health. 

She posted one of the biggest examples a few days ago in Hayward Field where she defeated the reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, despite having the less-than-expected season-opening races. Speaking about her transformation, the 24-year-old displayed her belief in the process she has been going through. As per her, “the journey of self, exploring myself, learning myself, falling in a deeper love for myself that way. Everything I put myself into”. 

This has been a factor in keeping her on the top podium despite her forgettable result last year in the Prefontaine Classic against the same opponents. However, her coach Dennis Mitchell has earned the track and field community’s respect for his tough regime. But according to Sha’Carri, getting in sync with the regime has been her way to go here. 

Giving a detailed view of the regime, Sha’Carri said, “Just falling in love with the process. Falling up myself and giving myself that love first and everything else that I put myself into feels it as well. So I’m excited.” Going through such a process, the world champion expects a better outcome, in securing a spot on the USA team for Paris. In this endeavor, she is planning to use her staple emotions as her weapons. 

Sha’Carri Richardson plans to cherish her emotions on her mission 

The banning order in 2021 from USADA sent a shockwave to the track and field communities, including Sha’Carri Richardson. Conceding her remark on those dark days, the two-time world champion said, “I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by sadness, and hurting, and hiding hurt.” At the same time, she may have promised herself not to come under such a heavy blow. It has been clear in her recent schedules that she has handled things mindfully. 

As she has added, Sha’Carri Richardson started her Olympic preparation last November and, in this duration, she has never let her emotions slip outrageously. Rather, her compassionate mindset toward fellow athletes has proved the cushion she is having in her mental state. 

Now she knows how to channel those for her betterment. Sha’Carri Richardson’s words after Xiamen Diamond League succinctly prove that. “I would not be human to say that I wasn’t nervous. But, as my coach said, use that nervousness as motivation,” Sha’Carri had said. In the coming days, Sha’Carri Richardson is going to bank on that in her avalanche moment, surely.