Sha’Carri Richardson competed in track and field for the first time on Saturday, taking on the Jamaican Olympic team, who swept the Tokyo Olympics. Sha’Carri’s much-anticipated comeback to competition after her ban for marijuana use–which prevented her from running in the Olympics–was met with disappointment after she came last in Nike’s Prefontaine Classic–100 Women’s meter race. Elaine Sherah-Thompson, a Jamaican Olympic gold medallist, finished first and achieved a personal best in the event, while her Jamaican Olympic teammates finished second and third. As the Jamaican Olympic team swept again, reporters focused on Sha’Carri, who finished eighth and offered a post-race interview.
She acknowledged her joy at her comeback to the sport and stated that she was not depressed by her loss. Sha’Carri Richardson commented, “It was a terrific return to the sport.” “I wanted to be able to come back and perform after taking a month out to deal with everything I was going through. I’m not angry with myself in the least. This was a single competition. “I’m not finished yet.” Sha’Carri then addressed her detractors. “You’re well aware of my capabilities. If you want to count me out, go ahead,” she said. “You may say whatever you want because I’m here to stay. I’m not finished yet. I’m the sixth quickest woman in the history of the game! Nobody can ever take that away from me. Best wishes to the winners.
Congratulations to the winners, but they haven’t seen the last of me.” The race can be seen below, as well as Sha’Carri’s post-race interview: Sha’Carri became a social media sensation shortly after the competition. Some celebrities congratulated the Jamaican sprinters on their triumphs, while others offered Sha’Carri words of encouragement. Officials with the Prefontaine Classic revealed that Sha’Carri had withdrew from the 200-meter event that day as she continued to trend.
