Richardson, who last night won the women's 100m race at the World Athletics Championship, could help a sport seeking a new audienceGetty Images
U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson last night won the women's 100m race at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, and in many ways, she is “exactly what a sport seeking a new audience needs," according to Matt Lawton of the London TIMES. Richardson often sports colorful hair, long nails and a "willingness to share her often provocative opinions” with 2.4 million Instagram followers. She stands to become the "new star" on the international track and field scene, even if it “remains troubling that she is being coached by a convicted doper in Dennis Mitchell and can occasionally come across as combustible as Dennis Rodman.” She “oozes charisma” but she “occasionally courts controversy too," as she did earlier this year when she was removed from an American Airlines aircraft after having an argument with a flight attendant. That comes after Richardson burst onto the scene at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials but missed the Tokyo Games due to a positive marijuana test. For World Athletics, Richardson “is a welcome addition to their list of champions when there has been something of a void left by the retirement of Usain Bolt” (London TIMES, 8/21).
SHE IS THE MOMENT: In Melbourne, Scott Gullan writes Richardson happens to be the “most flamboyant, brilliant and controversial talent" in track and field in years. She is poised to be "one of the biggest faces of next year’s Paris Olympics” (Melbourne HERALD, 8/22). In D.C., Adam Kilgore wrote Richardson has “retained the charisma that made her an unmistakable star.” In Sunday’s opening qualifying round, Richardson “dusted the field and theatrically wiped sweat off her brow as she crossed the finish line” (WASHINGTON POST, 8/21).
TWO FOR THE SHOW: Fellow U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles won the men's 100m earlier in the meet, and NBC's Craig Melvin said, “The two fastest people on the planet, Americans.” Lyles said the 200m is his best event, but he was “determined to show … the world that this is my main event as well.” Lyles said of shedding tears during the medal ceremony as the national anthem played, “It was very emotional. I don’t think I realized how much weight I was holding onto” (“Today,” NBC, 8/22).
