From her humble beginnings to breaking records and qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sha’Carri’s journey to stardom is a story of perseverance. Growing up without her parents, Sha’Carri discovered her love for running early on and quickly rose through the ranks.
Despite facing harsh criticism over her appearance, enduring an abusive relationship, and losing her biological mother — an event that led to a career-altering suspension— Sha’Carri emerged stronger than ever. Take a closer look at how this extraordinary athlete turned obstacles into stepping stones on her path to becoming a global star.
Sha’Carri was born in Dallas, Texas, and found her passion for running at an early age. Little is known about her biological parents, as she was not raised by them. Instead, a young Sha’Carri started calling her aunt, Shay Richardson, Mom.
Her grandmother, Betty Harp, or “Big Mama,” also had a huge impact on the athlete’s life. Lauren Cross, the track coach at Sha’Carri’s high school, Carter High School, was another key figure during Sha’Carri’s developmental years.
The track coach saw Sha’Carri’s extraordinary talent when she was just 14 and nurtured it. Lauren recalled the amazement of onlookers, saying, “People would say, ‘That little girl, she’s running so fast?'”
She often thought about the medals on Big Mama’s wall — awards won by Shay, the family track star. Inspired by her aunt, young Sha’Carri would challenge her to races up their South Dallas street.
“We’d go from the bottom of the hill to Big Mama’s car. She [Shay] didn’t slow down. She didn’t let me win. And I think it was in fifth grade, the day I touched the car first. That’s when I knew,” Sha’Carri reminisced.
Under Lauren’s guidance, Sha’Carri left competitors in the dust, easily breaking Texas state records. However, Lauren soon became more than a coach. Sha’Carri saw her as extended family, earning Lauren the title of Godmother.
Sha’Carri won three Texas state titles in high school and became the top-ranked sprinter in the class of 2018. By the time she graduated, Sha’Carri was the number-one female sprint recruit in the United States.
In her freshman year at Louisiana State University, Sha’Carri broke the 100-meter collegiate record with a time of 10.75 seconds. This made her one of the ten fastest women in history at that time.
Her rapid rise in college athletics left little else to prove, so she turned professional. Sha’Carri signed with Nike and began training under Dennis Mitchell, who saw immense potential in her.
Dennis described Sha’Carri as a “once-in-a-generation talent.” He further noted, “Running that fast, it’s not natural — not for anyone. You have to teach your body to push that hard and to make all the little adjustments that shave off a half-second here, a half-second there.”
“One aspect of Sha’Carri’s talent is that when you tell her, ‘Do this,’ she understands how to apply the change. She’s very in tune with her body,” Dennis continued.
Sha’Carri Richardson competing in the 2022 Diamond League series on September 8 in Zurich, Switzerland. | Source: Getty Images
Over the years, Sha’Carri has become well-known for her incredible speed and talent. However, many also admire her for being a proud young Black woman who competes with confidence.
She became a star to watch after her impressive performance at trials. Sha’Carri also wowed spectators with her striking hairstyles, long nails, nose rings, and tattoos.
Sha’Carri Richardson smiling after placing second in the Women’s 100-meter race during the New York Grand Prix on June 12, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
On May 9, 2021, Sha’Carri competed in the USATF Golden Games and World Athletics Continental Tour in a vibrant, electric blue wig. Her bold-colored locks flowed freely as she sprinted down the track, winning the Women’s 100 Meter Dash Prelims. Sha’Carri also maintained her signature long and carefully crafted nails.
On August 23, 2023, Sha’Carri took part in day five of the World Athletics Championships rocking intricate cornrows gathered into thick braids. The detailed pattern of the cornrows highlighted her creative approach to hairstyles. Her nails, on the other hand, were long and coffin-shaped, featuring a delicate floral design.
Sha’Carri Richardson during the Women’s 200-meter Heats during day five of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 on August 23 in Hungary. | Source: Getty Images
On August 26, 2023, Sha’Carri took to the podium to receive her bronze medal during the World Athletics Championships in a stylish combination of braided hair accented with vibrant red and yellow streaks.
Her nails were long and elaborately decorated, featuring a mix of pastel colors and intricate designs. Each nail showed a unique pattern, adorned with glittering accents and three-dimensional embellishments.
Sha’Carri Richardson on the podium to receive her bronze medal for the Women’s 200-meter Final during the medal ceremony of the World Athletics Championships on August 26, 2023, in Budapest, Hungary. | Source: Getty Images
On June 22, 2024, Sha’Carri participated in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track and Field Trials in a sleek, black wig that cascaded down her back. Her nails were even more elaborate and colorful, showcasing her flair for unique and bold designs.
Each nail featured a different design with vibrant hues and intricate patterns, making her hands as eye-catching as her athletic prowess.
Sha’Carri Richardson ahead of competing in the Women’s 100-meter Semifinal on day two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track and Field Trials on June 22, 2024, in Eugene, Oregon. | Source: Getty Images
On July 26, 2024, Sha’Carri showcased her American flag-inspired nails during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Her nails made a bold and patriotic statement, featuring a vibrant mix of red, white, and blue hues, three-dimensional decorations, and metallic embellishments.
Sha’Carri Richardson showing off her nails during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on July 26, 2024, in France.| Source: Getty Images
However, not everyone has come to love Sha’Carri’s signature flair and style over the years. One Instagram user commented, “Her nails look terrible.” The conversation about Sha’Carri’s appearance also occurred on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A user remarked, “Sha’Carri Richardson could probably cut that 100 time down if she left those fingernails at home. wtf is going on with her fingers? (sic)”
Another social media user typed, “Remove the noise, remove the fake nails, focus and let your racing do the talking. This is the result: Gold Medal and Championship record. Take a bow Sha’Carri Richardson.”
Sha’Carri, however, confidently responded to her critics. “I didn’t know the weight of my hair or the length of my nails impact my legs going up & down but OKAYYYYY,” she stated.
After making history during her only year at Louisiana State University and turning professional, Sha’Carri set her sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2021, ahead of the COVID-delayed games, she emerged as a favorite to win in Tokyo.
This was the result of her stunning victory in the Women’s100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, where she clocked a remarkable time of 10.86 seconds. However, Sha’Carri’s dreams were abruptly put on hold.
Sha’Carri Richardson running in the Women’s 100-meter Semifinal on day two of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials on June 19, 2021, in Eugene, Oregon. | Source: Getty Images
She was suspended from the USA Track and Field team after testing positive for THC, the active compound in marijuana. Sha’Carri later revealed that she used the drug to manage her overwhelming emotional distress. She had learned from a reporter that her biological mother had died.
Sha’Carri explained to Savannah Guthrie in an exclusive “TODAY” interview that she wasn’t making excuses or seeking empathy by opening up about how deeply affected she was by the news of her mother’s death.
Sha’Carri Richardson during The Diamond League AG Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting on September 3, 2021, in Brussels, Belgium. | Source: Getty Images
She shared that people didn’t understand what it was like to put on a brave face in front of the world while hiding her pain. Sha’Carri questioned, “Who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with the pain or you’re dealing with a struggle that you haven’t experienced before or that you thought you never would have to deal with?”
Accepting responsibility, Sha’Carri took a one-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for violating the rules. Consequently, she couldn’t compete in her signature event at the Olympics.
However, Sha’Carri has since made a strong comeback. She not only won the Women’s 100-meter final at the 2023 World Athletics Championship but also qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing her position as one of the world’s fastest women.