“Delayed doesn’t mean denied.” These words, spoken by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s mother during a tough phase in 2023, became her anchor. Since then, Melissa has been on a generational run for greatness. Last year, she secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and 2025 proved even more spectacular, claiming gold in both the 100m and 200m at the World Championships, cementing her status as the fastest woman on earth. But what if we told you she achieved all this partially blind?

Why Do Fans Think Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Might Be “Running Blind”?

So, why all the buzz? It began when social media users noticed Melissa Jefferson-Wooden squinting during her races, sparking speculation that she struggles with distance vision. Her recent confession, admitting she competes nearly blind after removing her glasses, only fueled the debate about how much her eyesight affects her on-track performance.

What Has Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Said About Her Vision and Glasses?

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden shocked fans on October 13 by admitting she often races with almost no clear sight beyond the track. Talking to On Her Turf, she explained, “I’m running blind. I’m Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and I’m the fastest girl in the world. Fun fact: if anybody pays attention, I really try, off the track, to have glasses on, and on the track, you don’t—and you would think that I have contacts in. Absolutely not.” Even without perfect vision, her speed and determination leave competitors trailing in her wake.”

The triple gold-medalist at the World Athletics Championships revealed that she is completely against wearing contact lenses, as they not only irritate her but also frighten her. Instead, she prefers to rely on her surroundings while running. “So, like the minute my finger gets right here to put the contacts in my eyes, just shut. I’m really relying on what I’m feeling. In a sense, I’m using the things around me to be able to measure where I am. If I run fast enough, away from the people, then I won’t have to worry about trying to find where the line is at the end and lean for it, and I can just run straight through the line, you know. It’s a good plan,” said Jefferson.

While we don’t know the full extent of her vision issues, it’s clear that her eyesight is poor enough that she can’t see far. After her interview aired, the athlete took to X to reshare it with the caption, “Now y’all know why I be squinting after the race sometimes.” Well, her poor eyesight didn’t stop her from getting all the medals. Now, let us have a look at how poor eyesight can be a huge demerit for an athlete.

How Does Vision Impact Sprinting Performance?

Sports vision is essential for better athletic performance. It goes beyond 20/20 eyesight, honing visual skills that directly enhance performance. Let’s take a look at why sports vision is important.

• Dynamic visual activity: The ability to seek moving objects clearly, which is vital for basketball, tennis, as well as for sprinting.
• Depth perception: Judging distances accurately for catching, shooting, and positioning
• Peripheral Awareness: Tracking motion outside your direct line of sight for better reflexes.
• Reaction Time: Quickly processing visual information and responding effectively
• Contrast Sensitivity: Detecting objects against similar backgrounds, crucial in low-light or glare.

Mastering these skills can be a game-changer for athletes. Yet, for those with weaker eyesight, competing against opponents with sharper sports vision can be tough. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is facing this challenge, but it hasn’t stopped her from reaching the pinnacle of excellence.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s Track Record Proves Vision Isn’t a Limitation

Jefferson-Wooden’s eyesight may pose challenges, but it hasn’t slowed her pursuit of greatness. Looking back at her career, 2022 marked a historic year as she became Coastal Carolina University’s first-ever NCAA National Champion, blazing through the 60-meter dash in an astonishing 7.09 seconds. That same year, she helped Team USA seize gold in the 4×100-meter relay at the World Athletics Championships. Fast forward two years, and she stormed past the competition to claim Olympic bronze in the 100 meters and gold in the 4×100-meter relay, cementing her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

After her illustrious 2024 season, 2025 should be written in golden letters in her career. This year, the athlete has remained undefeated, ensuring victory in every race she competes in. Following her back-to-back winning performances at the Diamond League and the USATF Championships, she made her mark at the World Athletics Championships, winning both the 100m and 200m titles with times of 10.61 and 21.68 seconds, respectively, becoming the first American woman to claim both titles in the same championship.