After months of silence and speculation, Sha’Carri Richardson is lacing up and flying out. The flamboyant sprint queen, whose name has echoed far beyond the track thanks to her electrifying persona and red-carpet moments, is ready to shift the spotlight back to where it all began. On the start line. While headlines in recent months have focused more on her BET Awards nomination and dazzling public appearances, track fans have been left wondering. When will Richardson run? Well, fans may not be left hanging anymore, for the Olympian finally has a teaser to offer! Well, what about it?
Ending her 2024 season wasn’t the fairytale finish her supporters had hoped for. On September 13, 2024, at the Brussels Diamond League, Richardson took to lane 6 in a much-anticipated 100m final. But finished dead last with a time of 11.23 seconds. Since then, there have been more magazine spreads than medal races, and fans have grown restless. But that’s all about to change. Sha’Carri Richardson is officially set to make her season debut at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo. A bold move. A world stage. And a clear signal that she’s not done.
Sha’Carri Richardson took to Instagram posting a video with a two-word caption “Go time ” A subtle but powerful message. In the clip, a cut-out image of Richardson glided across a map to Japan, where a red marker circled a date, Sunday, May 18, with a bold Japan flag stamped beside it. Below that, it read 2025 Seiko Golden Grand Prix. It wasn’t just a post; it was a declaration. After months of questions and swirling rumors, the sprint queen was letting the world know. She’s back, and her season starts now. The timing couldn’t be more significant.
Tokyo isn’t just hosting another meet. It’s the centerpiece of the 2025 World Athletics Championships. With the National Stadium’s blazing-fast track and a primetime crowd expected to fill every seat, anticipation for the women’s 100m and 200m couldn’t be higher. If Richardson’s form holds, fans may finally see her launch a serious bid to challenge Florence Griffith-Joyner’s legendary world records of 10.49 and 21.34. Her blistering sub-10.70 times in past seasons suggest it’s no pipe dream. And if she’s eyeing a double-gold sweep, this Grand Prix could be her first major statement.
Her official season debut at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix is set for Saturday night, May 17 (U.S. time), rolling into early Sunday morning. It’ll mark her first race since the 2024 Diamond League final in Brussels. Before that, she’d helped Team USA grab Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay and snagged individual silver in the 100m. Still, her absence in early 2025 including a surprising no-show for the Athletics Relays in Guangzhou left fans restless. But this time, she’s not watching from afar she’s stepping back on the line.
Sha’Carri Richardson’s BET nomination sparks debate amid season restart
BET recently dropped its highly anticipated Sportswoman of the Year nominee list. And as expected, the names are elite. Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Angel Reese. And yes, Sha’Carri Richardson. This marks Richardson’s fourth nomination, putting her among the most recognized women in sports culture. LSU’s powerhouse duo, Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson, also returned to the shortlist. But for Richardson, this time feels different. Instead of the usual praise, her inclusion has sparked a wave of backlash from fans who are questioning whether she’s earned her spot based on recent performances.
While Richardson shined at the Paris Olympics with a gold in the 4x100m and silver in the 100m, her momentum stalled soon after. In September’s Diamond League Final in Brussels, she finished last in the 100m. And then mysteriously withdrew from the 200m the next day. No explanation was given. Meanwhile, fans have noticed she’s been ever-present off the track, showing up at the Met Gala, and Super Bowl, and appearing in Nike’s high-profile NOCTA campaign. For some, the optics suggest a shift in priorities. Still, it is unfair to question Richardson’s star power and sprinting prowess. Without her incredible run, USA’s incredible victory at the women’s 4x100m relay would have been far more difficult than it was. Now, with her comeback finally sealed, the excitement is as real as it gets!
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