Sha’Carri Richardson lets her feelings known about her Team US relay quartet on their way to the Olympic gold.
World c100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson has opened about how missing the 100m gold in Paris made her put trust in her teammates in relay.
Richardson, who was disappointed after failing to live up to the ‘favourite’ tag in 100m by losing the gold battle surprisingly to St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred, had to bank on the relays to finally claim gold in her first Olympics.
With Team USA in fourth place as the baton arrived in Richardson’s palm in the 4x100m relay final, the 100m silver medallist launched into extra gear. It marked a triumphant moment for the U.S. sprinters collectively, who – led by Richardson – had set expectations sky-high for themselves in Paris.
Gabby Thomas, the 200m champion, doubled her gold medal count, while Richardson’s training mates Melissa Jefferson (bronze in the 100m) and Twanisha Terry rounded out the U.S. quartet.
Richardson pointed out that she trusted Gabby Thomas and part of the reason they collectively deserved the relay gold was that she was comfortable with the group.
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Everything you need to know about American sprinting sensation Sha’Carri Richardson.
“I was very comfortable with this team. I just remember trusting Gabby and knowing that she’s going to put this thing in my hand no matter what,” she told Olympics.com.
It was a satisfying end to the first Olympics for the American, who had arrived in Paris as the reigning world champion in the 100m. Richardson was emotional during the medal ceremony as the 24-year-old was seen crying.
Perhaps her cry was because she had missed her main target in 100m and settling for bronze was unexpected but that’s the nature of competition.
With the 2025 season underway, defending her 100m title at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo is a priority for Richardson who will rekindle her rivalry with Alfred once again. Whether she will turn the tables against Alfred remains to be seen but Richardson has promised fireworks on track this season.
