Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha'Carri Richardson runs with fire — literally, her signature orange hair streaming behind her as she blazes down the track with a style and power that has captivated the world. She became the fastest woman in America and proved that setbacks are temporary when she won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, completing one of the most dramatic comeback stories in track and field history.

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 2000, Richardson showed explosive speed from an early age. At LSU, she won the NCAA 100-meter championship and turned professional. Her 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials victory was electrifying — she ran 10.86 seconds and celebrated by embracing her grandmother in the stands. But her suspension for a positive marijuana test, which she said she used to cope with the death of her biological mother, kept her out of the Tokyo Olympics and became a flashpoint in debates about athlete treatment and outdated drug policies.

Richardson's response to adversity defined her character. She returned to competition with a vengeance, winning the 2023 World Championship 100 meters and then the 2024 Olympic gold. Her personality — bold, emotional, unapologetically herself — has made her one of the most popular athletes in the world and a symbol of resilience for a generation.