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“No One Asked Me”: Disappointed Sha’Carri Richardson Denies Authorities’ Last Minute Change After Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Withdrawal

Published 05/14/2023, 6:00 AM EDT

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is basking in the glory of her Laureus Sportswoman of the Year 2023 award, on the back of her stellar performance last year. However, an unfortunate knee injury has kept her out of a recent competition. This opened the door for another track and field star to compete in the 100-meter events, even as she is already dominating the 200-meter race. Jackson Tuwei, chairman of Athletics Kenya, has recently spoken about the matter.

The Kip Keino Classic was held on 13th May at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. And Sha’Carri Richardson has dominated the 200-meter race, finishing it in record time. However, Athletics Kenya reached out to her with a special request to change lanes with respect to Fraser’s withdrawal. But Richardson, disappointed at not competing at the 100-meter event, has denied anyone reaching out to her.

Sha’Carri Richardson simply wanted to focus on the 200-meter event

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A recent tweet by Eric Nijru went, Athletics Kenya is talking to Sha’Carri Richardson 🇺🇸to switch from 200m to 100m after the withdrawal of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce last night. #AbsaKipkeinoClassic”. In the video, Jackson Tuwei is asked if it’s a possibility to see Richardson race in the 100 meters. He replied, “It depends on what somebody likes. You cannot force somebody. They’ve got to be willing to do it”. But he hopes that it happens.

Tuwei then went on to wish Shelly-Ann Fraser a steady recovery and that the event misses her. But his comment regarding wishing Richardson ran the 100 meters reached the athletics star herself. Another tweet by Chis Chavez, as a reply to Tuwei’s comments, went, “No one asked me to run the 100. NOBODY asked me to run the 100. So, therefore, I needed to do what I know to do in my 200. Sha’Carri Richardson responds”.

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In the video attached, a reporter raised the question to Richardson, where she expressed that she was excited to race the 200 meters because of how she was feeling. She also ended her answer by saying that for all her loved ones, and also everyone who don’t want her to succeed, she had to come here and perform.

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Richardson’s meteoric rise to stardom this year

Sha’Carri Richardson’s performance was more than breathtaking at the Kip Keino Classic. She finished the race in a record 22.07 seconds, ahead of Kyra Richardson (22.77) and Shannon Ray (22.82). This comes on top of Richardson’s victory in the 100-meter race at the Doha Diamond League a week ago. She created a new record there, and her fans went crazy after it. As far as the 100 meters at Kip Keino Classic is concerned, Richardson never denied the possibility of wanting to race it, especially after Fraser-Pryce was out of it due to a muscle strain. But since she wasn’t asked by anyone, she claims, she focused all her energy on running the 200-meter event.

via Imago

100 meters at the Kip Keino or not, Richardson’s meteoric rise to fame in almost every track and field event this year is finally getting her, her due notice. Also, barring the injury, Fraser-Pryce too looked in indomitable form last season. This nicely sets up for all the terrific battles on track next year at the Paris Olympics.

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Written by:

Tanmay Roy

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Tanmay Roy is a sports writer at EssentiallySports specializing in his coverage of the Olympics and other major American sporting events. His passion for sports was ignited by the early achievements of Michael Phelps, Pete Sampras, and John McEnroe. As a writer for EssentiallySports, Tanmay's articles have been recognized as Editor's Picks, showcasing his ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking stories.
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Edited by:

Brandon Gabriel