Sha’Carri Richardson, the US track and field sprinter, set a world lead time of 10.71 while qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. She’s arguably one of the fastest women in the world.
And, she’s also become an iconic figure on the track thanks to her beauty looks. Whether it’s her statement nail extensions, vibrant hairstyles, or tattoos, we’re excited to see what she’s wearing every time she hits the track. But beauty is more than just fun for Richardson. Every manicure, braid, and flash of colour has a personal story attached to it, and in this Olympics, Richardson is leveraging beauty to tell a powerful comeback story.
What Happened To Sha’Carri Richardson?
Richardson has had a long road to the Olympic games. After being discovered at Carter High School in Dallas in 2019, she broke two U20 world records at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships.
She announced she would turn professional, but the pandemic halted her progress. Despite these setbacks, in 2021, she seemed a sure thing for the Tokyo Olympics.
Instead, she found herself disqualified. She served a one-month suspension for testing positive for THC, a compound found in marijuana. which is banned under strict World Anti-Doping Agency rules. Despite her performance, she wasn’t selected for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
For Sha’Carri Richardson, Beauty Is Personal
Richardson has been open about the heartbreak of being ruled out. She told Vogue that she had used the drug to cope with an “emotional panic” when she found out her biological mother had died via a reporter. While she has never shared the story of her biological mother, she was raised by her grandmother, who she refers to as “big momma”. It was in her grandmother’s house that she was inspired to pursue sport after becoming fascinated with her aunt’s framed medals on her grandmother’s wall.
Richardson has worn her hair in a rainbow of colours throughout her career: blue, platinum blonde, red, wavy, sleek and curly. The rainbow of colours are often inspired by loved ones she spends time away from while training. For instance, her girlfriend inspired her fiery orange hair; she told them, “She said it spoke to her, the fact that it was so loud and vibrant, and that’s who I am,” she told USA Today.
How Sha’ Carri Richardson Is Using Beauty To Shape Her Comeback
Richardson’s motto since returning to the Olympics has been “I’m not back; I’m better.” She told Vogue, “I don’t just mean I’m a better runner. It’s beyond that. I’m better at being Sha’Carri, I’m better at being myself.”
It’s unsurprising then that Richardson said she “had to pull out the natural” for the Olympic qualifiers, the competition that would make her comeback official. She appeared on the track wearing her signature bright orange wig, but as the raise started, she tossed it to the ground. In its place was her natural hair colour and tight braids created by Key Rentz, an Orlando-based braider with whom she works closely.
When asked about the moment, she said: “I want to show you guys that I am still that girl, but I am better. I am still that girl, but I am stronger. I am still that girl, but I am wiser. So I had to shed the old and present the new.” The message was clear: Richardson sees herself as a Phoenix returning transformed for this year’s games, and she won’t let the past cloud her focus.
And What About Sha’Carri Richardson’s Nails?
One thing we rarely see on the sporting field? Manicures that we’ll stick to our Pinterest boards. But Richardson’s commitment to a claw is legendary and, as usual, is about more than just fun. Track and field star Flo-Jo or Florence Griffith Joyner inspires her signature manicure. She told the Associated Press, “Flo-Jo came to the track and knew she was going to dominate. The way she did that was graceful. I always liked that. If the amazing Flo-Jo had long nails, there was no excuse why I couldn’t have long nails.”
It seems like there’s nothing Richardson can’t do.
When Will Sha’Carri Richardson Be Competing?
Richardson will compete in the women’s 100m on August 2nd and 3rd. She will also run in the 4x100m women’s relay between August 8th and August 9th.
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This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
