Meet Sha'Carri Richardson: Outspoken sprinter wins 100m at U.S. Olympic Trials (2024)

“I’m a fan.”

Those were the words of four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles about the newest athletics star set to take on the world at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, American sprint sensation, Sha’Carri Richardson.

Biles was watching along with plenty of other U.S. track fans as Richardson blazed her way to victory in the 100m on Saturday (19 June), assuring her a spot in Tokyo and a place on the world stage.

The only question: Is the world ready for Sha’Carri? Perhaps not.

“I just want the world to know I'm that girl,” Richardson told NBC at one point during the Olympic Trials.

Age 21 and standing just 5 foot 1 (154cm), Richardson has ever-changing hair colour (it was orange during Trials), exceptionally long acrylic nails, and a grandmother she calls her personal “superwoman” for helping her achieve what she has.

Here, five things to know about the Dallas native who will make her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Family comes first

As soon as Richardson crossed the finish line at the U.S. Olympic Trials for her 100m win, she didn’t stop running: Instead, she dashed up the stairs at Hayward Field and found her grandmother in the stands, bringing her in to an emotional embrace.

Richardson revealed that her biological mother had passed away in recent months in 2021, and that she wanted to be sure her grandmother was there to watch her in the “biggest meet of my life.”

“My family has kept me grounded,” she said. “This year has been crazy for me. My family is my everything.”

“My grandmother is my heart,” she added.

A style all her own

Even if she is the shortest one on the track, Richardson is sure she stands out.

From her ever-changing hair colour to her multitude of tattoos to her piercings and long, bright acrylic nails, the Texas native has crafted a style all her own.

It’s loud and proud – much like Richardson’s personality.

Her hair at U.S. Trials? She dyed it orange.

“My girlfriend actually helped me pick this colour,” Richardson told reporters. “She felt like it was like loud and encouraging. She was like, ‘If you go out there and be the best, you need to look the best. You need to make a statement.’”

The nails? Think back to the days of Gail Devers and Florence Griffith Joyner, the latter who has owned the world record in the women’s 100m for some 33 years (10.49 at the U.S. Trials, 1988).

Biles, Felix: Big-name fans

While it was Biles watching Richardson from home, five-time gold medallist Allyson Felix has had a much closer view of Sha’Carri’s development.

“I think her energy is incredible,” Felix said. “Obviously she has so much talent. It's really fun for all of us to watch her and see that spirit of hers.”

Though her style can be compared to Griffith Joyner and Devers, Richardson saluted another American sprinting legend, Carmelita Jeter, in the U.S. Trials, pointing to the clock in the semi-finals before crossing the finish line, much like Jeter did at the Olympic Games London 2012 in the 4x100m relay.

Taking on the world

Richardson hasn’t come out of nowhere. She was an accomplished junior runner, and in 2017 won a national junior title in the U.S. As a freshman at Louisiana State University in 2019, she dashed to the 100m collegiate title, running in a record time of 10.75. She also placed second in the 200m.

She announced in late 2019 after her freshman season that she would be leaving LSU to pursue her dream as a professional.

Her 10.72 in April of 2021 was the sixth-fastest legal time ever.

But, because of her age and relative inexperience on the senior international stage, the Olympics will mark one of her first major global competitions.

Trying to put Team USA back on top

It’s actually been 25 years – since Devers at Atlanta 1996 – since the U.S. has had a female champ in the 100m, the longest drought ever for the athletics-strong nation.

Devers was champion in 1992 and 1996 following Griffith Joyner’s win in 1988. Evelyn Ashford won in 1984. Wilma Rudolph (1960) and Wyomia Tyus (1964 and 1968) were the first black females to win Olympic gold for the U.S. in the 100m.

The showdown for gold in Tokyo could be thrilling. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Olympic champ in 2008 and 2012, should contend for the podium again, as should Team GB’s Dina AsherSmith and Fraser Pryce’s Jamaican teammate, Elaine Thompson, the 2016 Olympic champ.

“To be an Olympian... that was always the ultimate goal,” Richardson said, adding that she’s happy to have struggled through to get to the point where she is now: “I would tell my younger self [that] everything you've gone through, everything you don't even understand, now it all pay off when you least expect it. That's what I will go back to.”

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Tokyo 2020 | Olympic Games
Meet Sha'Carri Richardson: Outspoken sprinter wins 100m at U.S. Olympic Trials (2024)

FAQs

Who won the women's 100m? ›

Sha'Carri Richardson will finally get her shot at gold. Richardson, one of the U.S.' biggest track and field stars, won the 100 meters with a time of 10.71 seconds at the Olympic trials at Hayward Field on Saturday. It was the fastest women's 100 time in the world this year.

Where are the 2024 US Olympic trials track and field? ›

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field 2024: All results – complete list. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track & field are being held in Eugene, Oregon, at the historic Hayward Field.

How can I watch the track and field Olympic trials? ›

Most of the track competitions will be races of 400+ meters, and some of the field events will be long jump and high jump. Fans can watch the track and field US Olympic Trials for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. The events will also be broadcasted on Peacock.

How much does Shakira Richardson weigh? ›

How much does Sha'Carri Richardson Weigh? Sha'carri Richardson weighs 99 lbs, which is around 44.90 kg.

Who is the fastest 100m woman in history? ›

The current record is 10.49 seconds set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988. Women's 100 metres world record progression as ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations. For greater legibility, times which equal the record in the same calendar year are not shown.

Who is the greatest 100m female sprinter of all time? ›

Filter All Time Top Lists
RankMarkCompetitor
110.49Florence GRIFFITH-JOYNER
210.54Elaine THOMPSON-HERAH
310.60Shelly-Ann FRASER-PRYCE
410.64Carmelita JETER
35 more rows

Who won the 100m Olympic trial? ›

US Olympic track and field trials highlights: Noah Lyles wins 100, Christian Coleman misses out. Noah Lyles doesn't like the one Olympic medal he has, a bronze he won in the 200 meters at the Tokyo Olympics. On Sunday, he took another step toward adding Olympic gold to his trophy case.

Who won the men's 100 meter final? ›

Noah Lyles wins the men's 100-meter final, securing a spot at the Paris Games. After falling short of qualifying for the 100 in 2020, Lyles punched his ticket to Paris in the event at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Are the US Olympic trials on TV? ›

The U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials for the 2024 Paris Games air live on NBC, USA Network and Peacock from Thursday through Sunday in Minneapolis. Coverage also streams on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. The U.S. Olympic teams of five men and five women will be announced after trials.

How much is Sha Carri Richardson's Nike contract? ›

In March, when Richardson signed a deal with Nike worth an estimated 20 million dollars over five years, some doubted the move. Skeptics questioned whether Nike would take such a gamble on her, given her perceived volatility.

How tall and heavy is Shakira? ›

What is Usain Bolt's net worth? ›

The proud owner of eight Olympic golds and 19 Guinness World Records, Usain Bolt has turned speed into a highly lucrative franchise. According to CelebrityNetWorth's estimate, Usain Bolt's net worth is around $90 million.

Who is the 100m woman runner? ›

The women's 100-meter world record of 10.49 seconds set by Florence Griffith-Joyner has stood since 1988.

Who is the current women's 100m world record holder? ›

100m World Record - Florence Griffith-Joyner - 10.49

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Who has the fastest 100m times male and female? ›

The current men's world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaica's Usain Bolt in 2009, while the women's world record is 10.49 seconds set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

Who was the first woman to win the 100m? ›

Robinson competed in her first meet only four months before the 1928 Olympic Games. In her first outdoor meet, she set a world record for 100m. The 1928 100m was the first women's track event to be contested in Olympic history. Robinson won the final by half a metre in what was only her fourth track meet ever.

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