Sha’Carri Richardson: «The moment of victory at the 2024 Olympics»
15 august 2024 в 07:50
Sha’Carri Richardson, staring down her opponents right before the finish line and winning her first Olympic gold medal, became one of the most memorable moments captured at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
«I might have to hang this up at home», - Richardson said of what is now known as «Sha'Carri Star».
Although Richardson agreed that the image is iconic — captured during the 4×100m relay — and belongs in the Louvre, the Olympic champion explained that her sideways glance was directed at no one. Her focus was solely on herself.
«I looked to the side and just knew that no matter what was happening, no one could even stand in front of me but myself», - Richardson said in an interview with Refinery29. «I wouldn’t allow myself to not cross that finish line first and not get that medal, or disappoint these ladies and the support we got when we crossed the finish line first as Team USA».
While the storyline of the sprinter from Texas against her opponents turned out to be inaccurate, Richardson’s mentality of battling with herself showcases her remarkable motivation as an athlete and competitor.
«We just knew that if we were our best and executed, we would have the confidence and belief», - she said. «Not only confidence, but belief in the workouts we put in, in each lady’s ability, and the trust we had in each other. We knew that no matter what, we would do everything possible and ultimately deliver the gold».
«And I literally trusted every body in front of me, and it was almost like a chain reaction».
Running in fourth place behind Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, and 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas, Richardson said, «As soon as I got the stick, it was like it was filled with love and determination».
«This is for the nation. This is for the world that understands and believes in the four of us. So, taking this and running down the track, I knew I had no other option but to do everything possible, and I did everything possible».
«It wasn’t a plan, it wasn’t written beforehand», - Richardson joked. «I would honestly say that this moment was just a circular moment, just embracing everything — not only what happened in the overall moment to get on the podium, but just embracing the whole journey of a person and growth, not only as an athlete, but as a woman, as a spirit»
«I might have to hang this up at home», - Richardson said of what is now known as «Sha'Carri Star».
Although Richardson agreed that the image is iconic — captured during the 4×100m relay — and belongs in the Louvre, the Olympic champion explained that her sideways glance was directed at no one. Her focus was solely on herself.
«I looked to the side and just knew that no matter what was happening, no one could even stand in front of me but myself», - Richardson said in an interview with Refinery29. «I wouldn’t allow myself to not cross that finish line first and not get that medal, or disappoint these ladies and the support we got when we crossed the finish line first as Team USA».
While the storyline of the sprinter from Texas against her opponents turned out to be inaccurate, Richardson’s mentality of battling with herself showcases her remarkable motivation as an athlete and competitor.
«We just knew that if we were our best and executed, we would have the confidence and belief», - she said. «Not only confidence, but belief in the workouts we put in, in each lady’s ability, and the trust we had in each other. We knew that no matter what, we would do everything possible and ultimately deliver the gold».
«And I literally trusted every body in front of me, and it was almost like a chain reaction».
Running in fourth place behind Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, and 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas, Richardson said, «As soon as I got the stick, it was like it was filled with love and determination».
«This is for the nation. This is for the world that understands and believes in the four of us. So, taking this and running down the track, I knew I had no other option but to do everything possible, and I did everything possible».
«It wasn’t a plan, it wasn’t written beforehand», - Richardson joked. «I would honestly say that this moment was just a circular moment, just embracing everything — not only what happened in the overall moment to get on the podium, but just embracing the whole journey of a person and growth, not only as an athlete, but as a woman, as a spirit»
© Kolganov Andrey
