Sha’Carri Richardson has arrived in ATHLOS. In what was the biggest announcement for this season, the USA track queen has made up her mind to join hands with the ATHLOS family. Founded by Alexis Ohanian, the event focuses on addressing the financial problems that female athletes face. During the initial season, it was Gabby Thomas who was the face of the event. And now, with ATHLOS going even bigger, it’s the Olympic silver medalist who has taken over. 

In a recent update on X, the official X handle of ATHLOS announced the association of Sha’Carri Richardson with the event. Posting a video, the caption read, “Time, it’s been said, waits for no one, that you can’t outrun it, can’t control it, that it has a mind of its own. And guess what? That’s all true for you.” Along with it, Richardson was also spotted in the video, showing off her athletic physique, all ready for action as the ATHLOS season 2 comes near.

Meanwhile, such a decision from Richardson seems to be quite significant. This is because both Grand Slam Track and ATHLOS were interested in signing the US star. While Richardson did skip the inaugural seasons of both league, this update surely puts ATHLOS a step ahead of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track. 

Meanwhile, track and field just got a jolt of electricity, and its source was none other than Olympic legend Michael Johnson. Back in April in Kingston, Jamaica, the sprint world felt the rumble of a revolution. The launch of Grand Slam Track, Johnson’s bold new vision to transform the sport forever. With a glittering $12.6 million prize pool, international stars, and a promise to put athletes first, this series isn’t just another competition. It’s a movement.

But amid the hype and high stakes, two of America’s biggest sprint icons were conspicuously absent: Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles. Despite being courted to join the groundbreaking event, both declined to lace up for its first season. Grand Slam Track is no ordinary tour. Set to blaze through Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles after its Jamaican kickoff, the event was designed with one mission in mind.

Give track athletes the respect and compensation they deserve. Every runner in the series is under contract, securing an annual base salary just for showing up. And when it comes to performance pay, Johnson isn’t pulling any punches: $100,000 for a win, $10,000 even for last place. For those capable of sweeping the entire series, the ultimate prize sits at a staggering $400,000.

Big names have answered the call. Gabby Thomas is among the U.S. stars leading the charge. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is on the track. British world champ Josh Kerr and Tokyo silver medalist Kenny Bednarek are also chasing glory. In each event, 48 racers will battle 48 challengers, making it a thrilling, head-to-head spectacle unlike anything in track today.

But even with the big money, not everyone is sold. Despite the financial windfall on offer, Richardson and Lyles are focused elsewhere. The GST, while audacious and athlete-first, is still unproven. Unlike the prestigious World Athletics meets or the Diamond League, it hasn’t yet earned the weight of tradition or global credibility.

Richardson, whose season is already packed, reportedly passed on the offer to stay focused on established international competitions. Lyles made a similar decision. For now, their paths won’t cross with Johnson’s brainchild. Meanwhile, Richardson will be looking to turn around her season in ATHLOS. After all, her season opener in the Golden Grand Prix did not go as planned

​​Sha’Carri Richardson’s Tokyo stumble sparked early-season questions

Sha’Carri Richardson’s 2025 season opener didn’t begin with fireworks for her. Rather, it ended with a fizzle. On a gray afternoon in Tokyo, at the site of this year’s World Championships, the reigning U.S. sprint queen finished a distant fourth in the women’s 100m, clocking 11.47 seconds in a race that left more questions than answers. When pressed for her thoughts, Richardson delivered a single, defiant word, “No.”

What unfolded on the track wasn’t just a sluggish performance. It was a jarring departure from the electric athlete who opened her 2024 campaign with a 10.83. A shaky start marred by a green card after Richardson appeared to jump early disrupted the race’s rhythm. After the restart, she never quite settled.

Despite battling a modest headwind of -0.9, Richardson trailed well behind surprise winner Bree Rizzo of Australia, who claimed victory in 11.38, followed by Twanisha Terry (11.42) and Sade McCreath (11.46). Sha’Carri’s stormy expression as she breezed past reporters without another word spoke volumes. This marked her first season opener outside the U.S., a move that may have added layers of complexity to an already loaded Olympic year.

While one race doesn’t define a season, the performance in Tokyo could signal early turbulence. With the World Championships returning to this very track in September, Richardson’s stumble casts a spotlight on what kind of shape and mindset she’ll bring into a summer packed with expectations.