America’s fastest woman has a standout personality with a unique takeoff on the track that patiently brews until it explodes into that of sports legend. Sha’Carri, pronounced “Sha Carrie,” Richardson is known for her long nails, lashes and bright hair. At 5’1″ tall, tatted up with a Texas twang, 21-year-old Richardson could easily be donned a modern example of athletic greatness and inspiration, sharing the crown with the likes of Simone Biles, for instance.
In one of her heats for the U.S. Olympic Trials, she increased her speed from 24.1 mph to 20 mph, dominating the 100m heat in 10.84 seconds. The feat advanced her to the semis as a top qualifier. Later, she would win the 100m final, out running the 2016 Olympic gold medalist English Gardner and 2019 U.S. Champion of the 100m Teahna Daniels.
Overjoyed by her accomplishment, Richardson ran up the bleachers and hugged her grandmother before doing a heartwarming interview. Richardson said that she had just found out her biological mother had recently passed away.
“Going from just last week losing my biological mother and I’m still here,” Richardson said. “I’m still here. Last week finding out that my biological mother passed away and still choosing to pursue my dreams, still coming out here, still making sure to make the family that I do still have on this earth proud and the fact that nobody knows what I go through. Everybody has struggles and I understand that, but y’all see me on this track and y’all see the poker face I put on but nobody but them and my coach know what I go through on a day-to-day basis.”
The win qualifies her to be on the U.S. Olympic Team to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics taking place on July 23 through Aug. 8.
Richardson continued, “Unbelievable, the fact that I am an Olympian no matter what is said or anything, I am an Olympian,” Richardson said. “A dream since I’ve been young.”
