The Nike Prefontaine Classic at the Hayward Field – University of Oregon was held on Saturday and the best track and field athletes competed to get the top spots. Sha’Carri Richardson was one among them and she placed ninth among nine participants in the 100-meter race. This was the American athlete’s first race after being banned from participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as she tested positive for a substance that is found in marijuana.
The Prefontaine Classic is named after Steve Prefontaine who was a famous runner from Oregon. It is the eight stop on the Diamond League schedule. It is the only track and field event based in the U.S. The race was won by Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica. Thompson-Herah, the Olympic gold medalist, clocked 10.54 seconds, the second best in the history of the 100-meter race. Florence Griffith-Joyner had clocked 10.49 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1988.
In an explosive interview with NBC after the race Richardson used profanity as she reiterated her talent despite coming last in the 100 meters race. She said that it was one race and that she was not done, and people knew what she was capable of.
The flamboyant athlete also defiantly said that her critics could count her out if they wanted to and they could also “Talk all the s**it they wanted but she was there to stay, and she was not done. She also said that no one could take away the fact that she was the “sixth fastest woman in this game ever.”
The 21-year-old athlete also said that it was great to return to the sport and that she was not upset with herself. She noted that just being back doing what she had a passion for in her heart navigated her “day-to-day” and was a blessing.” She also mentioned that better finishes would come in the future.
She spoke of the journey she had been on the past month and said that Saturday was a day, but it was not every day, and it was not the end of the world. She once again added to her previous comment saying that if anyone counted her out, the joke was on them.
