This year has been a rollercoaster for Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson, especially for the latter. The reigning 100m world champion’s 2025 season hit turbulence after the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, where she struggled to break the 11.47s barrier. Lingering effects from a February injury have plagued her all year. Thomas hasn’t had it easy either. After a standout performance at the Kingston Slam, she managed only third in the 200m at the USATF Championships, a result few expected from the Olympic 200m champion. With both sprinters navigating a challenging season, the burning question remains: can they stage a comeback? The experts seem to think so.

When Coach Rob and Anderson Emerole analysed the sprinting season that Thomas and Richardson had so far, the track experts reached rather an optimistic conclusion. When pondered upon the question of whether these two can perform a miracle, Coach Rob seemed certain. He said, “I think they’re both in the same boat. And the boat is—do they have enough time? Like, is there enough real estate on the calendar left for them to get to where they need to get to, to be the threats that they are?”

According to Coach Rob, Richardson has faced significant challenges this season, including her arrest. He observed that the athlete is clearly not at full strength. ” I mean, like, she even mentioned, though, ‘I’m trying to be safe. I’m trying to be cautious,” said Coach Rob while judging Richardson’s performances this season.

The same is true for Gabby Thomas. Apart from her successes in the Kingston 200m and 400m, Thomas has yet to show her full potential. Having pulled out of the Diamond League, she is focusing her energy on the upcoming World Championship. But can she pull a miracle out of the bag and perform when it matters most?

Well, Coach Rob has some thoughts on it. He added, “Now, you’re allowed to say, ‘Well, they lost.” You could say that. That would be true. And if this sport were set up where it was primarily about competing and winning, and doing so regularly, and you had some form of a record where the wins and losses added up to something, that would all make sense. But because the way the sport is set up right now, technically there’s only one meet on the calendar that matters, and you just have to make sure you’re on the line when it happens.”

One is the reigning world champion, the other an Olympic gold medalist. Both have a lot to prove at the World Championships, and with time running out, things are getting much tighter. Amidst the chaos, Richardson has stepped forward to give us hope.

Sha’Carri Richardson has not lost hope

If we were to conclude her season in one word, then it would be nothing but disappointing. At the USATF Championships, she pulled out of her 100m semifinals following her arrest, despite opening with a strong 11.07, which was her season best. In addition to that, she pulled out of her 200m race. Just a week later, she ran 11.05 at the Silesia Diamond League, marking her season’s best, while her training partner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden took the win with a world-leading performance of 10.66.

The drama carried on in Brussels, where Sha’Carri Richardson once again faced Jefferson. Despite giving it her all, she couldn’t surpass her rival. Jefferson-Wooden dominated the race, crossing the line in a stunning 10.76 seconds. While Richardson showed remarkable grit, closing the gap in the final meters to secure second place with an 11.08. Well, this was her first podium finish this year. Taking a sigh of relief, she looked at the sky as if she was thanking the gods, and it was just visible on her Instagram story.

Sha’Carri Richardson posted an Instagram story with the message, “SEE YALL SEPT 13 😘,” signaling her readiness for the upcoming World Championship. Despite a season marred by injuries and a rough start, the world champion is confident she can pull off a miracle when it matters most. With just days remaining until the ultimate clash, Richardson is certain about her preparedness—but will she flip the script? Only time will tell.