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EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 19: Sha’Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the Women’s 100 Meter Semi-finals on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 19: Sha’Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the Women’s 100 Meter Semi-finals on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Despite setting the sixth-fastest time in the history of the women’s 100 meter race, things have gone south for Sha’Carri Richardson. Since her comeback after the Olympics, she hasn’t been able to make her mark on the track. Recently,?legendary sprinter Usain Bolt remarked on her attitude and wanted her to become more focused. Not one to hold back, Sha’Carri has now sent a veiled response to the Jamaican legend.

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 19: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay Final on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Sha’Carri Richardson wants support
In an interview with New York Post, Usain Bolt talked about Richardson’s words off the track and her performances on it. He said, “If you talk that big talk you have to back it up.”
This does not seem to have gone down well with Sha’Carri. In her recent Instagram story, the sprinter apparently responded to Bolt’s comments, calling for acceptance and understanding from people. The story featured a message from her followers stating how the sporting fraternity should give her support to tap her undoubted potential.
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“Everybody want to give advice in the media but none of them actually take the time to speak to her outside the media. So I feel her. Stop speaking on me when you don’t even speak to me,” read the comment.?
The competition is intense
The dominance of Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson on the track has sidelined all other sprinters. The trio clean swept the 100m race podium at the 2020 Olympics.

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Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m – Medal Ceremony – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan ? August 1, 2021. Gold medallist, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask on the podium poses with silver medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask and bronze medallist Shericka Jackson of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Richardson will be keen to recreate the successes of her compatriots, Fred Kerley and Sydney McLaughlin on the track.
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While her talent is undeniable, a more comforting environment would, perhaps, help bring out the best from Sha’Carri. The pressures and expectations of representing a country are intense and regular negative publicity surely doesn’t help.

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EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 19: Sha’Carri Richardson celebrates winning the Women’s 100 Meter final with grandmother Betty Harp on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Hopefully, the 21-year-old will go on to enjoy a long and successful career and compete for the biggest prizes in racing.
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