(Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Los Angeles — Sha’Carri Richardson has been on a roll when it comes to breaking records and accomplishing what she sets out to do. The decorated 23-year-old 100m and 200m sprinter made time in between meets to host a recent meet-and-greet with some of her fans in Los Angeles before her race at the L.A. Grand Prix.
She ultimately had to pull out of the final race reportedly because of leg cramps.
Her rise in the public eye due to her blazing speed has led her to taking some ridicule from the media and social media. In 2021 she overcame many triumphs in the public eye such as being disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 over a failed drug test for marijuana, as well as finding out that her mother passed away after a race by a reporter.
She came back better than ever and explained that she was focusing on her mental health. She is focusing on her health by “knowing my limits, setting boundaries for what I am comfortable with, and also understanding my triggers. I feel like my biggest thing about mental health for me and my personal journey is that I had to pay attention to myself first before I allowed anything, before I gave anything else energy, love, and time.”
The line was filled with dedicated and excited fans of all ages, while some ran track others were just there to show love! The youth demographic came deep, some even ran track and looked up to her. A younger fan said “ she inspired me to run track and I like watching her on TV. I want to grow up to be like her,” she said.
She explained that seeing the line of people warmed her heart. “It makes me feel so special by the simple fact that I know that I'm only a vessel, and the fact that a light shines through me” she said. “I'm grateful for y'all more than anything.”
Richardson is letting everyone know she is her to stay. Earlier this year she won the 100m in 10.76 seconds, making it the world’s best time this year.