Sha’Carri Richardson gave a fiery speech to reporters Sunday, after she failed to qualify for the 200-meter final at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
The 22-year-old sprinter — who also failed to advance in the women’s 100-meter event last Thursday — called for “more respect” from reporters covering herself and other athletes.
“I’m coming to speak, not just on my behalf but on all athletes’ behalves, that when you guys do interviews, y’all should respect athletes more,” Richardson said. “Y’all should understand whether they’re coming from winning, whether they’re losing, whatever the case may be. Athletes deserve way more respect than when y’all just come and throw cameras into their faces.
“Understand how an athlete operates and then ask your questions. Then be more understanding of the fact that they are still human, no matter just to the fact that y’all are just trying to put something out in an article to make a dollar. Thank you.”
Richardson’s speech came after she did not speak with reporters when she failed to advance in her signature event, the women’s 100 meters. She finished fifth in her semifinal heat. The losses will keep Richardson out of the World Championships.
Richardson had advanced Saturday to the semifinals, though she finished with the 10th-fastest time (22.69) in the four heats. In her semifinal Sunday, Richardson was fifth at 22.47.
In a separate video after Sunday’s race, Richardson discussed her eye-catching looks on the track, and what’s next for her.
“Ya girl is not gonna be at Worlds as we know this season, but it’s not done,” she said. “Overseas I will definitely bring some Texas drip over the water.
“Honestly I want to be at the forefront and I’m willing to be that sacrificial lamb for the simple fact of years and generations have gone by and nobody has said anything. The top people have literally just got their dollars and walked away from the sport, not worried about the little guy and that’s not fair because we all want the same thing when we step on to the track. We all want the next generation to be themselves.”
After Sunday’s event, Richardson addressed a statement she made last year, in which she promised to be a World Champ in 2022.
“I know what I say lol y’all can’t clown me,” Richardson tweeted, adding her original statement. “Didn’t get it done, no excuses. Y’all don’t deserve my story. NEXT!!”
Richardson added in a separate tweet, that her “attitude isn’t nasty.”
Richardson then took to Instagram to thank her supporters and said “the journey has yet to end” in a video posted to her story.
“No excuses, sorry if y’all was looking for one. That’s not who I am. Y’all be blessed!! No reason to explain.”
The Nike athlete also addressed her critics while raising two middle fingers.
“To the one that swear they know me & my story and think track ruined my life,” she wrote over a video that showed her sitting on grass, laughing. “I would say kiss my ass but y’all can’t afford it.”