Sha’Carri Richardson returned to the track on Tuesday in Lucerne and did so in fashion. Not only did Richardson sport a bedazzled uniform and nails almost longer than the race itself, she also sported a gold medal at the end of the race beating Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah by one one hundredth of a second.
Richardson had not run a race since June 26th in Oregon at the U.S. Championships where she failed to qualify for the team who would be competing at World Championships in July. She failed to make it to finals in either of her 100m and 200m disciplines.
Last season, Richardson took a similar break from racing, although the circumstances were different considering the controversial sprinter was taking a break due to her suspension for cannabis use which disqualified her from competing in Tokyo.
Following her suspension last season, Richardson’s return to racing did not bring as much excitement as her appearance had in previous races. She took dead last in her 100m return running an 11.14 while the winner, Thompson-Herah recorded a time of 10.54 which is the second fastest time in history.
Perhaps this year’s losses at U.S Championships sparked something in her to come back stronger because that’s exactly what happened Tuesday. Richardson ran an 11.29 while Thompson-Herah finished practically even at 11.30. With a wet track and headwind of -2.0 m, both women’s wheels were turning as they barreled toward the finish line with the only differentiating factor being the slightest lean over the finish line.
Following her race, Richardson took to Twitter to share her confidence in her ability. Over the last two years of her professional career, she has been criticized for how outspoken she is. It seems her two month absence hasn’t silenced her.
Next up for Richardson is the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League meet in Brussels where she will once again be met by the best in the sport when she races world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. With more favorable conditions, she should be able to beat her “slow” 11.29, but will she be able to overtake Fraser-Pryce? Win or lose, she’ll let us know.
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