Sha’Carri Richardson’s Current Rise Gets Jamaican Coach puzzled About “Weird Phenomenon” favoring American Athletes

Sha’Carri Richardson catapulted herself with her awe-inspiring sprinting skills in the year 2023, earning the 100m title in the World Athletics Championship in Budapest. From legendary performances to ground-breaking sponsorship deals, Richardson has dominated every field. Now, she has become the face of one of the biggest sportswear giants after she signed an exciting endorsement deal worth 20 million with Nike. However, her upward trajectory is bothering the Jamaicans, on and off the field.

Reynaldo Walcott, who coaches Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly Ann-Fraser Pryce, recently voiced his thoughts about the recognition Sha’Carri Richardson and other American sprinters get in comparison to the Jamaicans. Reynaldo thinks that most decorated Jamaican sprinters are not getting the honors they deserve.

Coach Reynaldo Walcott advocates for equal recognition

In an interview with Citius Mag, Walcott was asked about the recognition of female athletes in the sport. While the coach stated in general, women lack that, according to him, being an American female sprinter pans out differently. Taking Sha’Carri as an example he then stated, “I mean Sha’carri (Richardson), I think as a result of her being an American, because she won the world championships and she did it in very, very fast times –Being an American, I think it creates a better platform for her visibility. And her personality helps add to that.”

But when it comes to the Jamaican ladies, the picture is not the same, according to Walcott. “Jamaican ladies would have achieved way more and would not necessarily be seen on that same level or that same light but then the dynamic is that if you now eventually come and beat these ladies from Jamaica who would have achieved so much being an American then you become like God status level and it’s just a weird phenomenon.” 

Despite praising Sha’Carri, the coach noted, “Praises to her. But then the greats that you have beaten, you just don’t get a feeling that they got that same platform.” Even if discrimination in recognition is there off the field, Sha’Carri Richardson and her Jamaican counterparts are on the same platform as they chase one of the most sacred records of women’s sprinting.

Sha’Carri Richardson vs. Jamaicans: the run to break the all-time-best

Sha’Carri Richardson, and the Jamaican duo of Elaine Thompson-Herah, five-time Olympic champion, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 10x World champion are currently in a fierce run to topple or at least Flo-Jo’s 100m world record. Around 35 years ago Florence Griffith-Joyner aka Flo-Jo established the world record for women’s 100 meters at the US Olympic Trials quarterfinals in 1988. She finished the race in 10.49 seconds, which stands to date. But where do these ladies stand in comparison to her?

Also Read: After Brutal Loss Against Jamaicans, Sha’Carri Richardson Set for 2024 Debut

Among the trio, Thompson Herah came closest to Flo-Jo’s record in 2021, clocking 10.54, thereby earning the name, “fastest woman alive”. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, with 10.60 sits just behind her. Sha’Carri sits at the fifth position in this all-time list with her 10.65. Notably, while Thompson-Herah is 31 and Fraser-Pryce has already announced retirement, Richardson is just 24.

Understandably, she can continue the chase for a longer time. But let’s not forget Flo-Jo’s husband, Al Joyner’s comment, “When I see Richardson and Elaine Thompson, they remind me of my late wife.” Therefore, the floor is open, it can be anyone’s!

Read More: Shortly After Coming Across an Exclusive, Sha’Carri Richardson Demands an Answer From Her 2.9 Million Instagram Family