Sha'Carri Richardson finally gets her Olympic gold: "A phenomenal feeling"
Sha'Carri Richardson finally got what she had come to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 for: Gold.
With Team USA in fourth place as the baton arrived in Richardson's palm in the 4x100m relay final, the 100m silver medallist launched into an extra gear.
It's a satisfying end to the first Olympics for the American, who had arrived in Paris as the reigning world champion in the 100m only to fall to St. Lucia's Julien Alfred in the women's final last Saturday (3 August).
There was no settling for silver this time around.
Richardson roared past Germany and France before giving a long look to her right, at Great Britain, to make sure she was clear into the lead over the final 10 metres.
She was - clearly.
"The moment that [I realised] that when we won, the USA ladies," Richardson said, "it was a phenomenal feeling for all of us."
And a very emotional feeling as the 24-year-old was crying during the medal ceremony.
Sha'Carri was in her element on the track: Underdog, running a come-from-behind anchor leg as Stade de France roared around her. Whereas she arrived to the 100m final just over a week ago looking slightly out of her element, now she was in her comfort zone.
It marked a triumphant moment for the U.S. sprinters collectively, who - led by Richardson - had set expectations sky-high for themselves this Olympic season. Gabby Thomas, the 200m champion, doubled her gold medal count, while Richardson's training mates Melissa Jefferson (bronze in the 100m) and Twanisha Terry rounded out the U.S. quartet.
"I was very comfortable with" this team, Richardson added. "I just remember trusting Gabby and knowing that she’s going to put this thing in my hand no matter what.
"[I wanted to] leave my best on the track," she said.
She sure did that.