Do you know that until 2008, no Caribbean woman, let alone Jamaican, hadn’t clinched Olympic gold in the 100m? Surprised? Then along came Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, setting the track on fire. Similarly, in the 200m, no Jamaican had struck gold until Veronica Campbell in 2004. Since then, a fierce women’s rivalry between the USA and Jamaica has been in full swing. Today, one of the most talked-about track rivalries is between Jamaican queen Shericka Jackson and American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. Both have qualified for the 100m in the Paris Olympics, and they’re ready to go head-to-head, aiming to make history.

But here’s the game changer: Both athletes have a shot at making Olympic history. You might be wondering, how on earth?

Shericka Jackson has secured her ticket to Paris in both the 100m and 200m events. If she manages to clinch the 200m victory, she’ll be making headlines as only the third Jamaican woman to strike Olympic gold ever. Defining her pursuit to add a 200m Olympic gold to her wall of fame, Jackson stated, “I’ve yet to achieve an Olympic gold medal so definitely know that’s one of the goals I want to definitely achieve.”

In the 200m, Veronica Campbell hit the jackpot in 2004 Athens Olympics, then again in 2008 Beijing Olympics. Followed by Allyson Felix (American) at the 2012 London Olympics. Then, Elaine Thompson-Herah stormed to victory in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and with 2024 on the horizon, the competition is fierce but Shericka has a high chance to seize the spotlight.

What about Sha’Carri Richardson?

Now, Sha’Carri Richardson has the potential to rewrite the history of America by breaking the Jamaican dominance in the 100m. Looking back to 2012, only Jamaican athletes have consistently taken the gold. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clinched victory in 2008 and 2012, while Elaine Thompson-Herah triumphed in 2016 and 2020. In 1996 Gail Devers was the sprinter to win gold in the Olympic 100m event and since then no other American athlete has been able to achieve the same feat. However, there is hope that Sha’Carri Richardson could change this narrative. But can Shericka Jackson make it?

Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson are on their way to the Olympics, but can they make it after the recent setback?

Shericka Jackson’s resume is full golden victories. With 4 World Championship titles, and 3 Diamond League victories, she boasts a personal best of 10.65 seconds in the 100 meters – a time that matches Sha’Carri Richardson’s 100m timeframe at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Interestingly, Jackson’s 21.41 seconds in the 200 meters ranks her second in the world just behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 21.34 seconds. This season, Jackson clinched her berth to Paris by clocking 100m best of 10.84 seconds and a 200m best of 22.29 seconds scored in trials only. But here’s the disappointment!

During the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix on July 10th, while leading a women’s 200-meter race, Jackson suddenly hit a snag, pulling up with an injury just 50 meters from the finish. This setback came out of left field, especially following the withdrawal of fellow star Elaine Thompson-Herah due to injury. As the saying goes, misfortunes never come singly. Despite the injury, Jackson limped across the finish line showcasing the real women’s power and winning spirit!

Sha’Carri Richardson is nothing less than anyone, as she says, “I don’t just mean I’m a better runner. It’s beyond that. I’m better at being Sha’Carri. I’m better at being myself.”

She has two World Championship titles, one World Championships bronze medal, and a Pan American U20 championship to her name. With a best of 21.92 seconds, in the 200 meters, she showcases her skill at 24 years old. Nonetheless, this season has brought a range of outcomes for her.

She won the women’s 100m final in 10.71 seconds in the 100-meter dash during the trials. She then clocked 22.16 seconds in the 200-meter race and despite her goal of qualifying for both the 100m and 200m events at the Paris Olympics, Richardson encountered obstacles at the U.S. Olympic track trials finishing fourth in the 200 meters.

She started off well. Stayed competitive, around the turn but lost ground towards the end, where Gabby Thomas secured victory with a time of 21.81 seconds followed by Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long. Richardson completed the race in 4th place, which highlights the highs and lows of her competitive journey, where sometimes the best-laid plans go awry.

Well, it will be Sha’Carri Richardson’s Olympic debut, though it could have been her second attempt if not suspended during the Tokyo 2020 trials after testing positive for THC. Meanwhile, Shericka Jackson, who turns 30 in just two days, is gearing up for her third shot at the Olympics.

Do you think both athletes can make history in Paris? Drop a comment below, and let us know!