Sha’Carri Richardson once shared her thoughts on breaking barriers and bringing change in track and field. She spoke about her willingness to lead and asked other senior athletes to follow a similar path to create a supportive environment for the next generation.
In an interview with Citius Mag after missing out on the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Richardson expressed her desire to be a trailblazer by advocating for the issues that are usually overlooked. She also talked about the importance of inspiring the young generation to embrace themselves, saying:
“Honestly, I want to be at the forefront and I’m willing to be that sacrificial lamb for the simple fact of years and generations have gone by and nobody has said anything. The top people have literally just got their dollars and walked away from the sport not worried about the little guy and that’s not fair because we all want the same thing when we step onto this track. We all want the next generation to be themselves.” [1:06 onwards]
Sha’Carri Richardson also urged successful athletes to remain engaged in the sport and support the next generation, stating:
“Don’t step off the track, get out of the game and then say, ‘Oh, be yourself,’ when you never did that. Be the beacon that you say that you want others to be.”
“So, definitely that’s why I’m always going, no matter win, lose or draw. Stand in my confidence, stand in my divine spirit, because at the end of the day we are more than just our flesh,” Richardson also said during the same interaction.
“Track is my life on a day-to-day basis” – Sha’Carri Richardson on the sport’s impact on her life
Sha’Carri Richardson opened up on how she considers track to be her life on a daily basis. In an interview with Vogue in July 2024, she spoke about the significance of the sport in her life, adding:
“Most people, they only think of track every four years. The Olympics, that’s all there is—those few seconds on TV. But for me, track is my life on a day-to-day basis. Everything I do—what I eat, what I drink, if I stay up too late – it’s all reflected on the track. Every choice. That’s what the world doesn’t see.”
The 24-year-old took up the sport at the age of nine and has since achieved numerous accomplishments in the youth, junior, and senior levels. After coming into the spotlight through her sensational performances at the NCAA Championships in 2019, she became the 100m global champion at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, defeating top competitors like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Richardson bagged two medals – a silver in the 100m and a gold by anchoring the USA’s 4x100m relay team to victory.
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