Sha’Carri Richardson wants the world to know she’s “not back”; she’s “better” after cruising to a win at the USA Track and Field Championships on Friday.
After being introduced to the crowd, the 23-year-old sprinter ripped her brightly colored wig off, tossing it to the side. She revealed long braids underneath, with a star design just above her right ear. And ran like a star she did.
Richardson finished the women’s 100-meter with a time of 10.82 seconds at Hayward Field. The win qualifies Richardson for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where she is looking to bring home her first world title.
The Dallas runner broke into the sport, winning the 2019 NCAA women’s outdoor 100-meter with a 10.75. Richardson followed that up with the fastest time at the Olympic trials but received a one-month suspension after testing positive for THC and missed out on the Tokyo Olympics.
Following the suspension, Richardson explained that she smoked marijuana to cope with her mother’s death. She struggled last summer, bombing out of the first round of the national championships with an 11.31. She was eliminated from competition.
The resilient runner bounced back this season and will now head to Budapest next month to represent the United States at the World Championships.
“And I’m ready. Mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she told NBC Sports after her win. “And I’m here to stay. I’m not back; I’m better.”
