However, not everyone has come to love Sha’Carri’s signature flair and style over the years. One Instagram user commented, “Her nails look terrible.” The conversation about Sha’Carri’s appearance also occurred on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A user remarked, “Sha’Carri Richardson could probably cut that 100 time down if she left those fingernails at home. wtf is going on with her fingers? (sic)”

Another social media user typed, “Remove the noise, remove the fake nails, focus and let your racing do the talking. This is the result: Gold Medal and Championship record. Take a bow Sha’Carri Richardson.”

Sha’Carri, however, confidently responded to her critics. “I didn’t know the weight of my hair or the length of my nails impact my legs going up & down but OKAYYYYY,” she stated.

The Scandal That Rocked the Track – Sha’Carri Richardson’s 2020 Olympic Setback

After making history during her only year at Louisiana State University and turning professional, Sha’Carri set her sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2021, ahead of the COVID-delayed games, she emerged as a favorite to win in Tokyo.

This was the result of her stunning victory in the Women’s100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, where she clocked a remarkable time of 10.86 seconds. However, Sha’Carri’s dreams were abruptly put on hold.

She was suspended from the USA Track and Field team after testing positive for THC, the active compound in marijuana. Sha’Carri later revealed that she used the drug to manage her overwhelming emotional distress. She had learned from a reporter that her biological mother had died.

Sha’Carri explained to Savannah Guthrie in an exclusive “TODAY” interview that she wasn’t making excuses or seeking empathy by opening up about how deeply affected she was by the news of her mother’s death.

She shared that people didn’t understand what it was like to put on a brave face in front of the world while hiding her pain. Sha’Carri questioned, “Who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with the pain or you’re dealing with a struggle that you haven’t experienced before or that you thought you never would have to deal with?”

Accepting responsibility, Sha’Carri took a one-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for the violation, missing out on the upcoming Olympics. She candidly admitted, “I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do…and I still made that decision.”

The USA Track and Field organization issued a statement expressing their support and concern for her well-being. They emphasized that athlete health and well-being were critical priorities.

The organization added that they would work with Sha’Carri to ensure she had the resources to overcome any mental health challenges. Sha’Carri also took to social media to address the situation.

“I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year,” she shared. The athlete added in another post, “All these perfect people that know how to live life, I’m glad I’m not one of them!”

A Triumphant Return – Sha’Carri Richardson’s Historic Comeback

Following her anti-doping suspension, Sha’Carri made an extraordinary comeback. This ended in a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships, showcasing her resilience and determination.

Sha’Carri claimed gold in the 100-meter race, clocking an impressive 10.65 seconds. She triumphed over Jamaican stars Shericka Jackson and five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

This win was the result of a two-year journey of hard work. Reflecting on her relentless spirit, Sha’Carri repeated her mantra, “I’m not back. I’m better.” However, her path to victory was not easy. In the semifinals, she faced tough competition in what was called the “Semifinal of Death.”

Sha’Carri had to run against top contenders like Shericka and Marie-Josée Ta Lou. Despite a challenging start that saw her trailing in seventh place, Sha’Carri fought her way to finish third with a time of 10.84 seconds.

This was the fastest time among all non-qualifiers, securing her a spot in the final. Only 70 minutes after the tough semifinal, Sha’Carri lined up in lane nine for the gold-medal sprint. This lane is hard because it offers no way to gauge the performance of other competitors.

However, Sha’Carri stayed focused. Despite having the third-slowest start in the field, she quickly gained ground. In the final stretch, it became a race between her and Shericka.

Shericka crossed the finish line and, unsure of Sha’Carri’s position on the outside, looked at the scoreboard, thinking she might have won. But Sha’Carri edged her out by 0.07 seconds, with Shelly-Ann trailing by 0.12 seconds, and Marie-Josée by 0.16 seconds.

Sha’Carri’s time of 10.65 seconds set a world championship record. This was a remarkable achievement second only to Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record of 10.49 seconds set 35 years earlier. The performance also tied Shericka for the fastest time in the world that year, cementing Sha’Carri’s status as a top-tier sprinter.

Opening Up About Her Sexuality and Overcoming Abuse

In 2015, Sha’Carri took a brave step in sharing her truth with the world. She took to X to seemingly open up about her sexuality, posting, “My family know im bi (sic).”

By June 2021, Sha’Carri further opened up about her personal life, revealing she was in a relationship with a woman. During an interview, she mentioned that her unnamed girlfriend at the time had helped her choose the color for one of her wigs.

Just a few days later, Sha’Carri expressed her support for the LGBTQ community by posting a rainbow emoticon, a symbol synonymous with Gay Pride.

However, Sha’Carri’s personal life took a darker turn in 2022. She bravely shared on social media that she had been in an abusive relationship. Though she did not name her abuser, she shared her painful experience, shedding light on a distressing chapter of her life.

Later, her ex-girlfriend, fellow track star Janeek Brown, publicly stated during an interview that she had been abusive towards Sha’Carri. Janeek also mentioned that Sha’Carri had the option to press charges if she wanted to.

Embracing Her Identity and Honoring Her Grandmother

Sha’Carri’s journey has been marked by many challenges, but her focus on track and field has stayed strong. Every time she stepped onto the track, it validated the countless hours of training and the daily sacrifices she made.

CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE