On the path for outsiders – Kommersant

One of the brightest episodes of the World Championships in Athletics taking place in Budapest was the victory in the 100-meter race of the American Shakerri Richardson. This status was given to her by the excellent result of the athlete – 10.65, and, above all, by Richardson’s dramatic path to success – with a stupid doping disqualification the year before last, a complete failure in the past and a catastrophe that almost happened during the Hungarian championship.

There are very few victories in sport that are so insistent on explaining their complex background as the one won in Budapest at the most prestigious distance by 23-year-old Shakerri Richardson. There are more than enough dramatic details in it. In fact, the whole not-so-long career of this runner is woven from them.

The world found out about her two years ago. First – as a bright talent that appeared in the American track and field team. In the summer of 2021, Richardson, then young by the standards of her discipline, looked almost the main favorite for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. At the intra-American selection, she ran a hundred meters in 10.86, and this time actually guaranteed her a hunt for an Olympic medal, most likely even a gold one. But soon after that tournament, there was even more noise around Richardson – and not because of her form, but because of the scandal that broke out. In the sample, the athletes found traces of marijuana. Shakarri Richardson explained that with her help she calmed her nerves when she learned about the death of her mother, and an army of celebrities rushed to protect the rising superstar, including US President Joe Biden. It was hard to imagine that an ordinary, in general, case could cause such a grandiose wave of controversy. The American Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) wrote out Richardson, in fact, a symbolic disqualification for a month, but she still imposed on the Olympics, leaving the runner without a Tokyo start.

And after that, it seemed that Shakerri Richardson, who was already complaining about mental problems, had completely “floated” after surviving a severe blow. The previous World Championship was held last year in her home country, in the city of Eugene. In theory, it was an ideal platform in order to rehabilitate, to prove that talent, speed is still with her. But Richardson could not even qualify for that championship. She was in such a state that, strictly speaking, mediocre compatriots who did not dream of prestigious prizes were still ahead of her.

For the World Championships in Budapest, Shakerri Richardson, who has gone from being an elite athlete to becoming a social media phenomenon with millions of followers waiting for her next intriguing photos and stories about her struggles, broke through. However, already in the course of the championship there was a feeling that everything was heading for a new disaster. In her semi-final run, Richardson missed the start and finished third, with only two leaders getting a guaranteed place in the final. The American had to wait for the rest of the results, hoping that she would get there in time.

She nevertheless passed, but was forced to run along the uncomfortable ninth track – for outsiders. And all the attention was focused on the outstanding Jamaican runners Sherika Jackson and Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce, located in the center, with their two and a half dozen medals obtained at the world championships for two, with chic performance in the previous final stages. It was them that all the television cameras aimed at, even missing the amazing fact that in the pause before the final, Richardson got rid of her famous long nails, which her fans so appreciated. But the deed was indicative: those who decided on some very, very high stake make such sacrifices.

Jackson and Fraser-Pryce had a great performance in Budapest. But the thing is that on the ninth, outsider track, a girl rushed past them like lightning, whom they may not have considered their rival, but who, putting everything on the line, actually showed a fantastic time – 10.65: world championship record, the sixth highest in history. And having shown it, she thanked her family, coach, fans and even haters for her unexpected take-off after terrible troubles, the number of which is no longer inferior to devoted fans. According to Richardson, they all gave her the motivation for the feat.

Alexey Dospekhov