“If the amazing Flo-Jo had long nails, there was no excuse why I couldn’t have long nails.” You would have probably guessed the speaker of this statement by now. Yes, it was Sha’Carri Richardson, the American track star who has been meaning to walk in Flo-Jos steps, both in style and athletic out-turn. And as Richardson just performed this morning, at the US Olympic Team Trials, the reigning 100m world champion’s grind to match up to Flo-Jo’s 10.49 record that has been untouched for a little over three decades continues.

Unquestionably, Richardson’s vibrant wigs, glitzy nails, and dramatic lashes are an arresting sight on the tracks. But, what is additionally mesmerizing is how bits of her flamboyant style and athletic form are indeed inspired by Flo-Jo, whose legacy she takes forward. And a recent recreation has come to light, which hints at the same.

Flo-Jo’s legacy termed directional by Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson is in a league of her own. However, at the same time, she confesses to drawing inspiration from the late athletic legend, Florence Griffith Joyner. And while the former’s Track and Field Trials endeavor continues in Eugene, a tweet has recalled their connection. Quoting Richardson, it reads, “I am on my path and my journey as a competitor and being a woman in expression. Flo-Jo is part of the inspiration in the direction that I pull from, and I aspire to go in.”

Richardson’s words sound a tribute to Flo-Jo’s impact on her journey, resonating with an inspirational sentiment throughout. Adding the cherry on top, the images attached to the tweet highlight the uncanny resemblance. In them, recreating identical poses as Flo-Jo, Richardson flashes her six-inch long nails and emulates the late athlete’s body posture. Open hair and pink tracksuits, the visual similarity between the two instantly rings the memory of when Vogue called Sha’Carri Richardson ‘today’s Flo-Jo.’ 

Clearly, Sha’Carri Richardson’s ‘expression’ as a woman, and her attitude, take after a mark that FloJo set. But at the same time, they harbor the essence of her innate personality. ‘I want to show you guys that I am still that girl…’ once remarked the speedster. However, not just her aesthetic palette, but FloJo inspires another aspect of Richardson’s career. And when she says, FloJo is the direction ‘I aspire to go in,’ it hints that she’s eyeing her supreme timings.

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Can Richardson rebuild Flo-Jo’s records like her style?

2024 seems ‘THE’ year for Richardson. World number 1 in 100m after her 2023 Budapest triumph, she appears in the form of her life. Besides, with her 10.65 personal best time, she hovered very close to Flo-Jo’s record time. But could not break it. Nonetheless, she is still one of the top-most contenders for clinching the pole position in Paris. And should she manage to do that by defeating her Jamaican rivals, she would recreate another one of Flo-Jo’s classics- a 100m Olympic gold!

Notably, Joyner took home the 100m gold medal in this category at the Seoul Olympics. The only American to follow in her footsteps was Gail Devers, in the next two Games. But, the 100m podium has missed an American gold winner in the women’s category ever since. And now, that window lies wide open for Sha’Carri. Can she pull off another wonder to match up to the best ever? Let us know what you think.