Years After Doping Setback, Sha’Carri Richardson Nearly Risked Injury But Thrives Through For Paris Olympics Dream

“I’m not back, I’m better,” said Sha’Carri Richardson when she made a comeback in 2023 after serving a brief hiatus in the wake of doping allegations. Ever since then, Richardson left no stone unturned to live by that quote. After wrapping her comeback year with a ‘Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year award’, the sprinter stepped in the Olympic year with just one thought in mind, “I’m prepared, I just need to put it all together” – and she resonated exactly that when she clocked 10.88 to win the first round of the women’s 100m heat at the US Olympics track and field trials.

On June 21, the 24-year-old thrust her arms out wide in celebration as she crossed the 100m finish line at Hayward field in Eugene. However, though she finished first, the starting was not so smooth for the sprinter. Richardson stumbled on the starting block as she raced with one of her shoelaces untied. But, she defied what could’ve been a potential injury, and concluded her race comfortably. With this, she is all set for her Paris Olympics chariot, and no one can stop her.

Interestingly, as Richardson was gearing up for the race, EssentiallySports captured a pre-race moment where the sprinter can be seen tying the shoelaces of her left shoe, all while struggling through the process due to her big nails. Posting this special moment on their X handle, EssentiallySports penned, “Even with her insanely big nails, Sha’Carri Richardson is a pro!” Now, two races prevail before she finally adds the tag of Olympian with her name.

However, back in 2021, things went south for Sha’Carri Richardson shortly after her victory in the US Olympics trials. The clock said 10.86 when the sprinter clinched the 100m heat at the 2021 US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. However, shortly after, USADA banned the athlete as they found THC, a chemical found in marijuana, in her blood test. And then, her dominant 100m victory was stripped off, ultimately banning her from participating at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sha’Carri Richardson – From A Tokyo Scare to road to Paris Olympics

“I just want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do, I’m allowed not to do, and I still made that decision,” Sha’Carri Richardson said defining the turmoil she went through in 2021.

But did that stop Sha’Carri from making a comeback? Of course not! After all, she said, “I’m not making an excuse or looking for any empathy in my case.” Fast forward to 2023, Sha’Carri sprinted her way to track and asserted her dominance by clinching her first Diamond League gold in Doha. Then, in August 2023, the Budapest crowd witnessed nothing less than a masterpiece as she blazed through her rivals on the red track. “It feels amazing, it feels like everything has paid off and I’m grateful,” the now 24-year-old stated after her performance. And so, the World Championships became a highlight of her career, thanks to the 100m gold.

“Dreams like this come true. I’m just glad that I was able to be here for my first world championship and to do the things I’ve been working on all season,” Richardson said after the women’s relay gold medal at the World Athletics championships. And after her flight back to the US, she realized there was more.

After concluding her 2023 season, she trained day and night and kept getting better. She opened her 2024 season in the Xiamen Diamond League for the 200m event alongside Australian sprinter Torrie Lewis. There, Sha’carri accepted defeat as the 19-year-old Lewis outranked her by 0.3 seconds. Worries came in. Fans started questioning her fate, claiming she never opened this low. And their fears crept in when she again accepted a defeat in Suzhou. But legends like Justin Gatlin cared less, saying that Sha’carri knew what she was doing, and the community needed to be patient with her.

Boom! Sha’carri Richardson wins Prefontaine Classic 2024 with a staggering 10.83 finish. Since then, the track star has just received love & support, pushing her to new limits. Now, while donning her stiletto nails, a Nike gear, and a pink hairband, she sprinted to glory in the US Olympic trials’ 100m heat. With this, Richardson now eyes for a gold awaiting her at the French capital.

Stay tuned for more updates, as EssentiallySports brings to you more exclusive moments of the 2024 US Olympic trials from Hayward field, Eugene, Oregon.