Olympic Games Paris 2024

Paris 2024 Olympics: Sha’Carri Richardson fan honours sprinter with comeback inspired tattoo 

By Eleanor Lee
2 min|
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Picture by 2024 Getty Images

Sha’Carri Richardson heads into her first ever Olympic Games as the fastest woman in the world. The 24 year-old secured qualification to Paris 2024 in June when she ran 100 metres in 10.71 second - the fastest by a woman this year.

Despite qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games with a time of 10.86 seconds, the Dallas-born sprinter was found ineligible to compete after testing positive for cannabis at the U.S Trials.

Richardson’s ban rocked the sporting world and split opinion.

Many American sports stars, from Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman to NBA Star Dwyane Wade, voiced their support for then 21-year-old and called for the ban to be overturned.

Despite the uproar, Sha’Carri Richardson’s ban remained in place for a month and she returned to the track and field scene later on in 2021.

Following her disappointment of missing the Tokyo Games, Richardson documented her comeback for fans across the world.

From grieving the death of her mother whilst facing disqualification on the global stage to becoming the fastest woman in the world, the Texas native has continued to inspire a whole host of fans with her determination.

Most famously among them is perhaps Félix Trinidad Hernández from Veracruz, Mexico.

The 36 year-old construction and catering worker has had Richardon’s face tattooed on his arm, telling KSDK.com, “I want to meet her and tell her how much she has motivated me.”

“When she failed, she just gets back up,” said Hernández.

“People think because we’re Brown, or other races, we cannot reach other levels. She showed people that we can reach other levels,” he added.

EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 22: Sha'Carri Richardson poses with her gold medal after winning the women's 100 meter final on Day Two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 22, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Picture by 2024 Getty Images

Richardson became the fastest woman in the world at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest with a time of 10.65 seconds.

The 24 year-old faces tough competition in Paris, in the form of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and others, but will no doubt be eyeing up her first ever Olympic Gold.

“Every chapter I’ve been through has prepared me for this moment,” said Richardson upon qualifying for Paris 2024, yet again demonstrating the determination and persistence that continues to inspire Hernández and many others.

EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 22: Sha'Carri Richardson prepares to compete in the women's 100 meter semi-final on Day Two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 22, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Picture by 2024 Getty Images

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