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).
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.
