Sha’carri Richardson Favors ‘Black Journalists’ Over Mainstream Media, Clinches World Title Victory
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Sha’carri Richardson’s victory at the World Athletic Championships on Monday was not only marked by her exceptional performance but also by her reported approach to media interactions post-win.
Competing in Hungary, Richardson secured a gold medal in the women’s 100-meter final, setting a new World Athletic Championships record with a stunning time of 10.65 seconds. Her victory wasn’t just about winning the race, but also about the way she handled the victory and subsequent media attention.
During the race, Richardson exhibited her confidence by waving towards the crowd, signaling her imminent triumph. After her win, a social media video emerged showing Richardson speaking solely to a Black reporter, seemingly avoiding other media members with a simple “no thank you.”
This video gained traction as multiple social media accounts shared it, suggesting that Richardson only spoke to Black journalists, emphasizing her selective engagement with the media for good reason.
However, later reports from the Associated Press indicated that Richardson did engage with mainstream media, expressing her admiration for her competitors and acknowledging the inspiration she drew from them. She stated, “All the heavy hitters were going to bring their ‘A’ game, so it helped me pull out my best ‘A’ game, as well.”
Reflecting on her personal identity, Richardson added, “You bring who you are onto the track. You bring your athlete into your life. Just knowing that people know me not just as an athlete, but as a person. There is no separate, honestly.”
Richardson’s victory was a significant achievement, particularly after her challenging journey. A few years earlier, she had been barred from participating in the Olympic Games due to a failed drug test for marijuana. Undeterred, Richardson continued to strive for success, culminating in her victory on Monday.
Her path to triumph included her title win in Qatar earlier, where she achieved her fastest time of the year, clocking 10.76 seconds in the 100-meter race. At that time, Richardson expressed her rediscovered connection with the track, emphasizing her resilience against external factors.
Before her recent victory, Richardson was set to make headlines at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, her disqualification due to a positive marijuana test prevented her participation. The subsequent suspension and counseling program allowed her to return to her sport with renewed determination.
Richardson’s agent recognized the challenges she faced, highlighting her journey from a difficult period to rediscovering her passion for the sport. He conveyed that competing against negativity was a battle she wouldn’t win, ultimately guiding her back to her “happy place” on the track.
