Everything comes at a price, doesn’t it? Sha’Carri Richardson knows this all too well. At just 24, she’s bagged two Olympic medals, World Championship titles, and a lineup of sponsorships that’d make any athlete jealous. Oh, and let’s not forget the constant spotlight shining on her—bright enough to rival the sun. But as any star athlete can tell you, the glow comes with a cost. For Sha’Carri, it’s been a relentless tug-of-war with critics and a world that didn’t always have her back.

Let’s rewind a bit and talk about Sha’Carri’s journey—from Tokyo’s heartbreak to Parisian redemption. In a recent chat with Essence, the outspoken sprinter laid it bare: “Those moments were scary, because I’m like, If I can’t be me, I can’t even give you all what you respect and love me for. I wasn’t happy when I wasn’t being myself.” Imagine that—the pressure to perform while hiding who you really are. It’s like running with weights strapped to your soul.

Back in 2021, the world seemed ready to crown Sha’Carri as sprinting’s next queen. After crushing NCAA races and rocking LSU Tigers’ colors, she lit up the U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the 100m in a blazing 10.86 seconds. Tokyo was calling, and she was all set to answer—until the unthinkable happened. The headlines hit hard: Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for THC. The fallout was swift. A one-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency meant she was out of the 100m at Tokyo. Technically, she could’ve still made the 4x100m relay squad, but let’s just say no one stuck their neck out for her.

And then came the backlash. Critics swarmed her online, firing off insults like it was an Olympic sport. At her breaking point, she had to remind everyone, “I am human.” But did the world pause to hear her story? Not exactly. Later, Sha’Carri revealed the context behind her misstep: she’d just lost her mom—news that a journalist, not family, delivered to her. In a haze of grief, she made a mistake.

Sha’Carri Richardson had no qualms with anybody. All she wanted was for her stories to be heard. Expectedly, nothing happened. This absence left her at a vulnerable point. In her conversation with Essence magazine, Sha’Carri explained the situation, stating, “I wasn’t happy when I was trying to listen or, I guess, take in the criticism, or defend myself from the criticism. Nothing was making me happy, because I wasn’t me. But the unhappiness is what got me back to myself.” After three years, she found herself on the receiving end once more. This time, critics pursued her even though her performance had improved.

In the women’s 100m event at the Paris Olympics, Sha’Carri did not meet the anticipated standards. She had been touted to be the favorite in the event. Yet Juliana Alfred defeated her in the final. SCR took the silver medal and stood numb on the podium. And criticism followed. But this time, she didn’t break down. Days later, she returned to the women’s 4x100m relay race, the same race she once missed. This time, Sha’Carri didn’t leave any loose points. 

After a rocky beginning and a difficult exchange with Gabby Thomas, Sha’Carri Richardson delivered a stunning yet fierce performance in the relay. She overtook every leading sprinter and crossed the finish line in the first place. The evening at Stade de France saw her shedding tears while holding the gold medal. This moment appeared to signify her accomplishment on the track. So, does this suggest that Sha’Carri Richardson is making peace with her recent experiences?

Sha’Carri Richardson now sees life in a new light

In 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson didn’t just announce her comeback—she made sure the world felt it. In July, she blazed her way to first place in the women’s 100m at the U.S. Championships, held in Eugene. Yep, the same track where she once clinched her spot for the Tokyo Olympics. Talk about full-circle redemption.

After crossing the finish line, Sha’Carri soaked in the moment and made it clear this wasn’t just any victory. “Now, I stand here with you again and I’m ready, mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she told the crowd. Then came the mic-drop line: “I’m not back, I’m better.” And she’s been proving it ever since, showing up at event after event, unshaken by the challenges that once loomed over her.

In her chat with Essence, the world champ reflected on how far she’s come: “I just feel like everything in my life is brighter now. I don’t have any darkness weighing me down, even within myself. I’m just at a different point in my life, where I’m not in survival mode—I’m in a loving energy.” Translation? She’s flying high, unapologetically owning her moment. Sha’Carri Richardson isn’t just running races; she’s rewriting her story. So, is she “back”? Nah—she’s better, bolder, and unbreakable.