Sha’Carri Richardson may be dominating magazine covers and red carpets. But on the track, fans say the story is different. The Olympic sprinter, known as much for her flair off the field as her power on it, has just earned another BET Awards nomination for Sportswoman of the Year. But instead of universal applause, social media has lit up with outrage. After all, to some, her nod feels more like a celebration of style than speed. And they’re not holding back.
BET unveiled the star-studded list of Sportswoman of the Year nominees this week, with Richardson joining an elite lineup that includes Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Angel Reese, and more. The LSU duo of Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson also returned to the nomination list, fresh off another year of athletic excellence. And for Richardson, this marks her fourth nomination. But unlike past years, this time her name is sparking backlash, not celebration.
It all seems to stem from one question: Is Richardson still performing at the highest level on the track? Many fans don’t think so. While she dazzled with gold in the 4x100m relay and took silver in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, her recent form has raised eyebrows. Just this past September, she placed a disappointing eighth in the 100m at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, finishing with a time of 11.23 seconds.
Far behind her usual explosive speed. Scheduled to compete in the 200m the following day, she quietly dropped out, her name replaced on the lineup with no official explanation. What’s igniting frustration is the stark contrast between her celebrity visibility and her current athletic output. Fans point to her constant presence at events like the Super Bowl, the Met Gala, and in Nike’s latest NOCTA ads as evidence that her focus may be shifting from sport to spotlight.
However, none of this means Richardson isn’t still a star. Her Olympic debut alone solidified her place in US track history. But when up against the likes of Simone Biles and Coco Gauff, whose recent achievements are unmatched in their sports, critics argue that Richardson’s resume doesn’t stack up, not this year. As the BET Awards approach, the debate only grows louder: Is this nomination about athletic dominance? Or simply cultural relevance? And looking at the growing dissent, Richardson has been facing some significant backlash.
Fans express significant discontent over Sha’Carri Richardson’s recent nomination
As soon as the news went viral, fans flocked to the comments section to make their voices heard. While Sha’Carri claimed Olympic medals, her season lacked consistent high-level performances. After a strong showing in Paris, she ended her year with an eighth-place finish in Brussels and a quiet withdrawal from the 200m event.
Referring to the same one fan bluntly argued, she “ain’t do nothing special last year,” reflecting a sentiment that one great moment doesn’t define an entire season. Richardson’s nomination stirred frustration, particularly due to the absence of Gabby Thomas, who earned Olympic bronze and consistently ranked among the top in the 200m.
With Simone Biles and Coco Gauff also having dominant years in their respective sports, one X user questioned the legitimacy of the list, asking, “Where’s Gabby? The only legitimate person on there is Simone! And Coco.” On the other hand, fans and defenders of Richardson point out that she “ran the fastest time in the world last year and won the silver and gold medals at the Olympics.”
Such an argument centers on her 10.65s from 2023 and the strong Olympic showing. Despite her later dip in performance, her peak was unmatched in the 100m, making her worthy in the eyes of some. The backlash also reflects a perceived prioritization of image over athletic excellence. With Sha’Carri highly visible at events like the Super Bowl and Met Gala, fans believe her selection reflects cultural clout.
One response summed up the disbelief, as it read, “def popularity because why wasn’t Gabby or Sydney nominated lmao.” Some fans directly referenced the purpose of the award, noting, “The BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year is given to the best and most successful female athlete of the previous year.” Such a statement was used to sarcastically call out the apparent mismatch between the criteria and Richardson’s uneven 2024 campaign, especially when other athletes had more consistent achievements.
Track fans also pointed to Sha’Carri Richardson’s inactivity in the new season, suggesting that media hype has carried her more than her performance. “She hasn’t even run this year… I wish the hype they give her would go towards athletes who deserve it and live up to the hype. Like Sydney, Gabby, Julien, etc.,” one track enthusiast wrote, echoing a common sentiment that other stars were more deserving.
Thus, with the situation getting complicated, it now remains to be seen how things pan out for Sha’Carri Richardson in the days to come. Who do you think would finally grab the win?
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