"Cook Sha'Carri Richardson"; "She never comes off as nice person": Fans split over American's birthday wish to Shericka Jackson in Netflix's SPRINT 

Fans online were split over a clip of Sha'Carri Richardson wishing Shericka Jackson a happy birthday in Netflix’s SPRINT docu-series right after beating her in the 100m competition at the 2023 Silesia Diamond League. The first part of the series, ‘Heir to the Throne’, was released on July 2nd.

Richardson and Jackson are two of the fastest sprinters in the world. While the American is the sixth-fastest woman of all time over the 100m, the Jamaican is the fastest woman alive over the 200m distance. As has been the case for decades with the USA vs Jamaica, the two sprinters have shared a riveting rivalry over the years.

Coming into 2023, Richardson was looking for redemption while Jackson had an impressive season in 2022. As the two met at Silesia Diamond League in the 100m event right before the 2023 World Championships, it was the NCAA collegiate record holder who came out triumphant. Richardson clocked 10.76s for the win while Jackson finished 2nd in 10.78s.

As Netflix released the first part of the docu-series, SPRINT, Sha'Carri Richardson was spotted wishing Shericka Jackson ‘happy birthday’ right after the race. Several fans online argued that it was a deliberate move from the American sprinter.

"When Sha’Carri wished Shericka a happy birthday after she beat her in Silesia, there was a slight “I beat you on your birthday, and that’s your gift from me to you” shade," a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"She never comes off as a nice person to me," another fan reacted.

"I low key felt that too 😭😭but I think it was genuine," a user wrote.

However, a few fans were happy over Richardson’s move. A fan praised the American, saying:

"Cook Sha’Carri.. the Jamaicans been playin with her lol"

"That was not what that meant lol," another fan argued.

"The hard pill everyone gonna have to swallow is that she’s most likely taking home that gold in the 100m," a user commented.

---

What happened between Sha'Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson later at the 2023 World Championships?

World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023-200m finals (Image via Getty)

Sha'Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson met again at the 2023 World Championships, and the result was more or less similar. The American stormed to her first world title in a championship record of 10.65s while Jackson settled for silver in 10.72s. The bronze medal was secured by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 10.77s.

Richardson and Jackson would clash again in the 200m finals but it was the Jamaican who came out triumphant. She clocked the 2nd fastest time in history, 21.41s, to defend her 200m world title while American sprinters Gabby Thomas (21.81) and Sha'Carri Richardson (21.92) finished second and third respectively.

Shortly after the 200m finals, Shericka Jackson stood on the ground taking in the glory, and Sha'Carri Richardson quickly jumped to hug her in an impressive display of sportsmanship.