Is Sha’Carri Richardson’s career in jeopardy after another disappointing performance? What’s your take?

This season has been a rollercoaster for Sha’Carri Richardson. After settling for a second-place finish in the 100m finals in Paris, the sprinter redeemed herself in the 4x100m relay, clinching her maiden gold. However, after an unsuccessful attempt at the Diamond League finals in Brussels, she faced another miss. How so, you might ask?

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Sports Illustrated has just revealed its second annual list of the 50 most influential figures and driving forces in sports. Factors like leadership, style, success, and more are considered during the process. In a list that is chock-a-block with influential titans from all across the world, the who’s who, from icons and athletes to executives and dealmakers, have all been featured in four categories. But, much to the track and field fans’ dismay, even after boasting supreme athletic prowess in this year’s events, it doesn’t feature any athletes like Richardson, Noah Lyles, and others.

Take Lyles, for instance. He did the unthinkable by clinching the 100m Olympic title amid a thunderous cheer at Stade de France. This might lead one to wonder… Could this have been a faux pas? Sha’Carri Richardson and her LSU classmate Mondo Duplantis were mentioned in passing, but that’s about it. This season has been exciting because of the Summer Games. The surprises just kept coming our way. Among the four categories, a few Olympians like Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Lebron James, and Ilona Maher have thankfully made it to the list.

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Last year’s power list only mentioned one icon from the track and field circuit: Allyson Felix. Could this be a recurring pattern? Stade de France hosted an array of exciting events throughout August 1 and 11. A record-breaking crowd showed up to cheer on their favorite athletes—be it a sprint, long jump, pole vault, javelin throw, or more. If that wasn’t exciting enough, many even witnessed upset wins, smashed records, and more.

Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyle’s highs and lows at the Paris Olympics

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The 24-year-old couldn’t make her much-awaited debut in the Japanese capital three years ago. But after punching her ticket with her riveting performance in the U.S. Olympics Trials, she looked forward to making heads turn. The sprinter’s first event was against a stacked lineup in the 100m finals at Stade de France. However, she only focused on the prize—an Olympic gold medal. Much to her dismay, she missed the first place by a whisker, crossing the finish line in 10.87 seconds.

But she had one more chance to redeem herself in the City of Light. Sha’Carri Richardson ran the anchor leg in the 4x100m finals. However, a clunky baton pass between herself and Gabby Thomas nearly derailed their chase for glory. But the 100m silver medalist’s stellar sprint led them to the top of the podium with 41.78 seconds on the clock. On the other hand, Noah Lyles still reeled from his heartbreaking result in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

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Hoping to clinch his maiden Olympic gold, the sprinter had to settle for a third-place finish instead. With renewed vigor, the 27-year-old looked forward to redeeming himself in the French capital. With an astounding time of 9.784 seconds in the 100m finals, the Olympian proved he was willing to walk the walk as he clinched the gold. He then shifted his focus to the 200m finals next. But with a time of 19.70, the sprinter fell short.

History had repeated itself, but it only went downhill from here. Having contracted COVID-19, the sprinter withdrew from his last event—the 4x100m relay. However, fans hoped to watch Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson back on the tracks at the Diamond League meet. But the former had already ended his season in the French capital. On the other hand, Richardson momentarily redeemed herself in the 100m event at the Zurich DL. Alas, she couldn’t do the same at the finals in Brussels. Could this have played a part in their absence from the power list?

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