The one thing about the world of sports is the fact that it is the land of short-term memory. The world of sports is the ultimate site of what have you done for me lately.
Track star Sha’Carri Richardson was on top of the world just a few short months ago. It all started in April at the Miramar Invitational in Miami, Florida. Richardson placed her name in the record books as she ran the 100-meter in a historic time of 10.72 seconds. It was the sixth fastest time ever posted by a female sprinter.
Two months later, Richardson arrived in Eugene, Oregon, with her signature nails, an abundance of confidence, and orange-colored hair. She was the favorite to win, and she didn’t disappoint. The Dallas native won the U.S. 100-meter Olympic track and field trials final by running a 10.86. She became the youngest woman to win the 100-meter at the Olympic Trials since Alice Brown did it in 1980. With the victory, the 21-year-old out of LSU earned a spot in the Olympics and a national title.
She was in position to take a trip to Tokyo for a potential showdown with the Jamaican world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Unfortunately, the dream matchup would be in jeopardy approximately two weeks later when Richardson tested positive for a chemical found in marijuana. She was given a 30-day suspension that eliminated her from being eligible to run the 100-meter in Tokyo.
With the absence of Sha’Carri Richardson, the island Nation won in dominant fashion. Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson finished 1-2-3, as Jamaica claimed the gold, silver, and bronze medals in a clean sweep.
Sha’Carri Richardson missed out on her chance to compete against the dynamic Jamaican trio at the Olympics, but as faith would have it, she got her shot at the Prefontaine Classic on August 21st. Sporting a platinum blonde and blue hair look, Richardson was placed alongside the Jamaican trio. She got off to a decent start, and then she faded to the background with a last place finish. Her time was a disappointing 11.14 seconds. For the second event in a row, the Jamaican trio swept the 100-meter. Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah won the event with a time of 10.54 seconds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce came in second, and Shericka Jackson finished third.
A frustrated Sha’Carri Richardson stepped to the NBC microphone and unleashed her frustration. “Count me out if you want to. Talk all the sh*t you want cause I’m here to stay. I’m not done. I’m the sixth-fastest woman in the game, ever. And can’t nobody ever take that from me. Congratulations to the winners. Congratulations to the people that won, but they’re not done seeing me yet. Period.”
The world of sports is a here today, gone tomorrow type of platform. Athletes that are consistently good have staying power. They are able to sustain long careers. Sha’Carri Richardson has the physical ability to be around for a long time. She also has youth on her side. With the women sprinters from Jamaica dominating the field, as of right now, Sha’Carri Richardson is the only logical option in regards to the U.S. dethroning the Jamaican trio. The U.S. has not won Olympic gold in the women’s 100 meter since Gail Devers did it in 1996. If you carefully analyze the landscape, the answer is obvious. Regarding Olympic gold in the women’s 100-meter, like her, or don’t like her, Sha’Carri Richardson is the USA’s best chance to break through and again capture the top spot.
