Sha'Carri Richardson recently bagged her first-ever Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning the silver in the women’s 100m. She clocked a 10.87s to finish second behind Julien Alfred, who made history for Saint Lucia with a time of 10.72s, becoming the nation's first Olympic medalist.
Richardson's silver medal ensured that USA secured a podium finish in the event after missing out on the top three spots at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where Jamaica achieved a clean sweep through Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.61s), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.74s), and Shericka Jackson (10.76s).
Additionally, Richardson’s compatriot Melissa Jefferson contributed to the USA's success by winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 with a time of 10.92 seconds.
Following her silver medal win, the reigning world champion will next be in action in the women’s 4x100m relay event, where she will aim to add another Olympic medal to her and the USA's tally. Sha'Carri Richardson is likely to feature in the USA’s team for the 4x100m relay - Round 1 slated for August 8 at 11:10 AM Paris Time/ 5:10 AM Eastern Time.
If the USA advances to the next round based on their performance in the women's 4x100m relay Round 1, Richardson will compete in the finals taking place on August 9 at 7:30 PM Paris Time/1:30 PM Eastern Time. However, the United States is expected to face tough competition from Jamaica and Great Britain.
Sha'Carri Richardson’s journey from Tokyo Olympics heartbreak to Paris Olympics
At the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in 2021, Sha'Carri Richardson qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing first in the women’s 100m, clocking a time of 10.86s. However, she tested positive for cannabis use in a urine sample taken during that period, resulting in a one-month ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). She was eventually not picked in the USA's squad for the Tokyo Games.
As reported by "Time", Richardson said that she took the drug to help her cope with the passing of her biological mother at that time.
However, the American sprinter made a sensational comeback at the Miramar Invitational in 2023 where she recorded a 10.57s in wind-assisted (4.1 m/s) conditions to win the event.
She then became a global star after clinching the women’s 100m title at the 2023 World Athletics Championships with a championship record of 10.65s, defeating Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Additionally, she also took home two more medals - a gold in the 4x100m relay and a bronze in the 200m.
At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, she won the women’s 100m in a world-leading time of 10.71s to qualify for the Paris Olympics.