By James Galgano

With the sound of the gunshot, they are off. The racers barrel down the track as the once-silent crowd roars with applause. As each racer in the herd tries to pull away from the group, one seems to be slightly behind: on the very outside of the track in Lane 9, Sha’Carri Richardson has her work cut out for her. But she doesn’t notice this gap; her eyes face straight ahead towards the finish line, with the intent stare of someone who knows exactly what she is capable of.

Richardson during her 2021 season. Photo credit: @carririchardson_ on Instagram.

Indeed, this has always been the case with now 23-year-old Richardson, from the moment she stepped out onto the track. She first showcased her talents to the public in June 2021, during the track and field national championships in Oregon, when she ran a 10.72 second 100 meter, the sixth-fastest women’s time ever in that particular distance. However, despite this time qualifying her for the upcoming world championships, Richardson would have an uphill battle ahead. 

Following a first-place win in her Olympic qualifying race, it was revealed on July 2, 2021 that Richardson had failed a drug test, testing positive for THC. This disqualified her from competing in the 100 meters in the Tokyo Olympics, which had already been pushed back from 2020 to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. A week before this race, she had lost her biological mother, finding out through a reporter whom she did not know. In an interview, Richardson explained, “To have to go out in front of the world and put on a face, and hide my pain… Who are you or who am I to tell you how to cope?” Enduring all this pain, she continued to have faith in herself, promising her fans that “this will be the last time the U.S. doesn’t come home with a gold medal in 100.” 

Richardson’s ban sparked outrage, with many news outlets siding with the track runner and speaking out against the ban on marijuana within the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sports Illustrated referred to the rule somewhat comedically as just plain “stupid” while ABC News called out the “hypocritical” nature of allowing drugs like alcohol and nicotine, that arguably have similar effects. Along with the fact that the use of the drug is legal in Oregon, where she used it, these journalists pointed out that marijuana would not provide any advantage in the sport of track and field, and, if anything, would make the runner slower. However, Richardson was still unable to compete in the Olympics and momentarily took a step out of the public eye.

In her next 100 meter race on Aug. 21, 2021, following the end of her 30-day ban, Richardson finished in last place, with a slower time of 11.14 seconds. Despite her performance, the athlete remained true to her belief that this period in her life did not define her career. In a post-race interview, she stated, “I’m not done. You know what I’m capable of. Count me out if you want to. Talk all the **** you want because I’m here to stay.” While she upset some viewers with her cockiness and use of explicit language, Richardson’s message was clear—she would be back.

True to her word, Richardson came to compete this year more polished, with the look and attitude of a veteran runner. This started with the national championships in July of this year in Eugene, Oregon, where she had made her way to the finals. As she stood at the starting line, the camera panned to her, and she tore off the orange wig she had worn for much of the 2021 season and threw it behind her, revealing her natural hair, with a star shaven into the side of her head. With this reveal, Richardson hoped to show she was “still that girl” she had been in her prior season, just “stronger” and “wiser.” She went on to win the national title in 10.82 seconds. Afterwards, she told reporters: “I’m not back, I’m better.”

Richardson celebrating her national title. Photo credit: @carririchardon_ on Instagram.

This time led her to the world championships in Budapest, Hungary in August, where Richardson once again demonstrated her personal growth. She cruised through her opening race, crossing the line first while she mimed wiping sweat off her forehead. And although she placed third in her semi-final heat due to a slow start, her time of 10.84 pushed her into the finals and into Lane 9. This lane is typically regarded as one of the worst to have, as being in the very outside lane makes it hard to gauge how the other runners are doing. However, Richardson reflected, “it just was me that was standing in my way.” She stormed down the track and snuck her way into first place in the last few meters of the race, catching the crowd, her competitors, and even the commentators off guard. Sha’Carri Richardson was a world champion.

Richardson is back in full force, and the challenges and controversy she has faced have only added to her drive. Through it all, both the confidence that she has shown and the maturity in her self-expression have established and set her on the right path towards the rest of her career. The public has seen every side of her, and the journey has made her a much more personable and relatable athlete. As she says, “I am human … I just happen to run a little faster.”

Featured image credit: Filip Bossuyt on Wikimedia Commons.