Sha'Carri Richardson Makes Epic Comeback 3 Years After Suspension
Sha'Carri Richardson definitely brought the heat to Paris.
The Team USA track and field star made her Olympic debut Aug. 2 at the 2024 Paris Olympics, three years after being suspended before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she tested positive for marijuana.
Sha'Carri proved her weight in gold when she won her heat during the first round of the women’s 100 meter sprint with a time of 10.94 seconds. The 24-year-old—who now qualifies for the 100m semi-finals Aug. 3—may become the first American woman to win gold in the event during its finals on the same day since Gail Devers in 1996.
While Sha'Carri set the track on fire with her athletic skills, she did it while looking fashionable. Donning a lavender pin-striped ensemble, she styled her waves in a ponytail and opted for a long, colorful stiletto nail. Because, like many athletes competing in France, she loves winning in style. For the runner, her inspiration came from the late Florence Griffith-Joyner, who also competed in iconic outfits with vibrant nails.
read2024 Olympian Sha'Carri Richardson’s Nails Deserve Their Own Gold Medal
“Flo-Jo came to the track and knew she was going to dominate,” she told the Associated Press in 2021. “The way she did that was graceful. I always liked that. If the amazing Flo-Jo had long nails, there was no excuse why I couldn’t have long nails.”
But less than a month later, Sha'Carri was not selected for the roster of athletes set to compete in Japan. Despite winning the 100 meter race during the Olympic trials, she was suspended after testing positive for THC, which violated the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. And USA Track & Field was firm on the decision, saying that she would not be given a shortened suspension so she could compete later that summer.
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Hours after the news broke, Sha'Carri owned up to her actions and gave insight into her decision.
"I know what I did, I know what I'm supposed to do, I know what I'm allowed not to do, and I still made that decision,” she said on Today in 2021. “I’m not making any excuses, and I’m not looking for any empathy in my case.”
She explained learning from a reporter that her biological mom passed away one week before the Olympic trials sent her into a state of emotional panic.
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"It's definitely triggering," Sha'Carri reflected, adding that she was "blinded by emotions, blinded by bad news, blinded by just hurting." Unable to cope the night before such a career-changing race, she thought, "At least in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain."
And before the Games, she made an oath to be back three years later.
She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter in July 2021, “I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year.”
Now, keep reading for more incredible moments at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
photosView More Photos From The Most Emotional Photos From the 2024 Paris OlympicsWatch the 2024 Paris Olympics daily on NBC and Peacock until the summer games end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
