As the fastest women in the world competed in the 100-meter final Saturday in Tokyo, one of the top sprinters was missing — American Sha’Carri Richardson. The 21-year-old was suspended for one month due to a failed drug test that kept her off Team USA.
That didn’t stop Richardson from extending a gracious congratulations to the runners from Jamaica, who swept the podium in a fierce and highly anticipated race.
“Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep,” Richardson tweeted after the race. “Powerful, strong black women dominating the sport.”
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah won gold, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took silver and Shericka Jackson earned bronze.
Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep. Powerful, strong black women dominating the sport. ✨— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 31, 2021
Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep. Powerful, strong black women dominating the sport. ✨
Last month in Oregon, Richardson won the 100m final at the U.S. Olympic trials, but a positive test result for marijuana disqualified her from the Tokyo Olympics.
And on Saturday in Tokyo, Richardson’s absence was felt. Thompson-Herah ran 10.61 seconds, breaking an Olympic record that had stood for 33 years. Richardson isn’t too far behind, clocking a season-best 10.72 back in April.
The Jamaican duo of Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce are the only women who have run faster than Richardson this year.