Sha’Carri Richardson Says Media Should ‘Respect Athletes More’ & Refuses To Do Press Interviews After Failing To Qualify In US Championships  

Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson Says Media Should ‘Respect Athletes More’ & Refuses To Do Press Interviews After Failing To Qualify In US Championships  

Sha’Carri Richardson blasts reporters for their lack of empathy after a tough outing in the 100-meter U.S. Track and Field Championships.

These past few days have seemingly been rough for track star Sha’Carri Richardson after she bombed out of the 100-meter competition after the first round on Thursday night (June 23). This is usually one of Sha’Carri Richardson’s strongest events. However, she finished fifth with a time of 11.31, which was drastically slower than the time of 10.85 she held earlier this month in the 100-meter competition held in New York. Richardson, 22, had no intentions to discuss what caused her disappointing display, following the race, jogging past a group of reporters. 

American Sha'Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) has just run 22.47 for 5th & will not qualify for the 200 metre finals at the US trials.

Having also failed to qualify in the 100 metres, Richardson will miss the World Championships in Oregon.

Richardson again avoided media today. pic.twitter.com/cO57tiOpXF

— Abka Fitz-Henley (@AbkaFitzHenley) June 26, 2022

Richardson still had a chance to make it to the World Championships by finishing top three in the women’s 200-meter race. But those dreams came crashing down after Richardson placed fifth in her semifinal Sunday (June 26) with a recorded time of 22.47.

Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson, 22, denied questions about her loss from reporters but gave them a statement requesting they respect athletes more despite winning or losing. Sha’Carri said:

“I’m coming to speak, not on just my behalf but all athletes behalf, that when you guys do interviews ya’ll should respect athletes more.”

Richardson continues:

“Ya’ll should understand them coming from whether they’re winning, whether they’re losing, whatever the case may be. Athletes deserve way more respect than when ya’ll just come and throw cameras into their faces.”

The track-star adds:

“Understand how an athlete operates and then ask your questions. Then, be more understanding of the fact that they are still human no matter just of the fact of ya’ll just tryna get something to put out in an article to make a dollar. Thank you.”

Sha’Carri Richardson just came through the mixed zone at USAs and asked for media to treat athletes with more respect and thoughtfulness in post-race interviews. She did not take questions. pic.twitter.com/tTF06HgIMJ

— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) June 26, 2022

Richardson took it to Twitter to address scrutiny about her attitude post meets, while letting fans know the media can’t break her strong mentality. She also called out her college, Louisiana State University for only posting their athletes when they win.

Richardson also shared on Twitter that she’ll be coming out with her own media platform so fans can connect with her more. Richardson said:

“Since you want to talk, I am coming out with my own platform so fans can really connect and learn the sport, as well as the athletes and the stories & questions put out is what the world actually want to know and it’s real, not sold for a dollar. STAY TUNEDD, IM EXCITED!!”

Last year, Richardson qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the 100-meter race, but she didn’t compete after being disqualified for testing positive for marijuana. She was placed on a 30-day suspension that hindered her from attending the event in Tokyo. Richardson was also left off of the U.S team as part of the relay pool.

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