Sha'Carri Richardson finishes last By Sam Fariss for RunBlogRun

The media circus and social media circus directed around Sha’Carri Richardson between the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2021 Nike Pre Classic has been fascinating.

Sam Fariss wrote this piece on the performance of Sha’Carri Richardson at the Nike Pre Classic. She finished last. It is a humbling experience to finish last (this writer should know).

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We wish Sha’Carri Richardson a warm return to her career.

Sha’Carri Richardson, 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, photo by Kevin Morris/ Kevmofoto

Sha’Carri Richardson finishes last

By Sam Fariss for RunBlogRun

EUGENE, Ore. – In her return to the track following a substance ban, Sha’Carri Richardson finished ninth, out of nine runners, in the women’s 100 meters at the Prefontaine Classic. Richardson was removed from Team USA’s Olympic squad after having a positive marijuana test at the Olympic Trials.

On Saturday, Richardson lined up against the three medallists from Tokyo; Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson – all Jamaican women who finished first, second and third, respectively, once again.

“I’m eager to run against them and bring the best out of them and hope they bring the best out of me,” Richardson said at the Pre Classic press conference on Friday.

Richardson finished in 11.14 seconds, more than half a second slower than Thompson-Herah’s first-place finish and significantly slower than she had raced throughout the season.

After being removed from the USA track and field team roster due to her positive marijuana test, support and attention for Richardson blossomed amongst American citizens. People flocked to social media in order to voice their support for Richardson and their belief that she should be able to compete.

“The attention I was able to bring to the sport whether it was negative or positive, I know that a lot of people are watching… Just honored I would say,” Richardson said.

There was a lot of speculation throughout the Trials, much less the Pre Classic, for Richardson to be the one woman capable of knocking at least one of the Jamaican women out of the top three of the 100 meters.

Following the weekend of the race and some harsh humor directed in her direction on Twitter, Richardson responded with a tweet of her own.

“Only way up from 9th is up!” Richardson wrote.

Author

Sam Fariss

Sam Fariss is a freelance journalist and a contributor for RunBlogRun. Sam writes a column called “Run By Women,” which gives a spotlight to female track and field athletes who are often overlooked. Sam is living in Austin, Texas, where she works full-time while also covering major running events, both in-person and remotely. Sam Fariss began writing for RunBlogRun in 2021.

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