Sha’Carri Richardson presents “Mama” with the world gold medal, two years after she lost her birth mother just weeks before the Olympics ban
SHA’CARRI Richardson is officially the fastest woman alive.
After winning the 100 meters at the World Championships in record time, Richardson decided to give her gold medal to a special family member.
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Richardson was raised by her grandmother Betty and her aunt.
After winning gold in her first major final, the track and field athlete decided to give her medal to the pair.
The 23-year-old lost her mother two years ago when she died just days before she won the 100-meter dash at the Olympics and weeks before she was banned from smoking marijuana.
The context of her relationship with her birth mother is unknown, but she previously told reporters that her family dynamic is a “very, very, very confusing and sensitive subject.”
Michael Johnson, an American retired sprinter who won four Olympic gold medals and eight world championships, praised Richardson on the BBC.
Johnson said, “One of the things that I think is important to note here is that Sha’Carri lost her mother just prior to the trials.” [in 2021]that’s when she got the marijuana offense that happened.
“But she was raised by this woman who I believe is her aunt. And she had another aunt who was probably on the FaceTime call at home.”
“We saw her walk through the stands at the US trials and also this year to hug this woman and I think that’s it and she couldn’t come here. But she is very close to them.”
“When she was a kid, they told her they would never leave her, and she has a very close bond with those very close family members.”
“I think it’s a very special story.”
In the competition, Richardson set a championship record of 10.65 seconds, securing victory.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson took silver while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took bronze.
Jackson, the reigning 200-meter champion, ran 10.72 seconds and five-time record champion Fraser-Pryce finished in 10.77 seconds.
The race featured four of the eight fastest runners of all time, including Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who placed fourth.
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