“She’s a great ambassador for our sport.” exclusive interview. The three-time Olympic champion Joyner-Kersee said that it’s Richardon who reminds her the most of her late sister-in-law, the great Florence Joyner-Griffith. “You know exactly where Sha’Carri is coming from and you know exactly who you’re dealing with,” Joyner-Kersee said in a video interview. “And then she gets out there and backs it up with her performance. Well, when you talk about the nails, the fashion, all the different things… it’s just amazing to see to her bring that flair. “These young women are transcending our sport… and [then] people appreciating their talent,” too, she added. Richardson will look to emulate Griffith-Joyner in the women’s 100m final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with the 24-year-old trying to become the first American woman to win the Olympic title in this event since Gail Devers at Atlanta 1996. Joyner-Kersee’s prediction for that coveted gold? “I have to go with our world champion,” she said after a pause, noting Richardson’s win at the World Championships in 2023. “It’s my hope that Sha’Carri [wins]. I’m not going to bet against her because she is the reigning world champion.” Jackie Joyner-Kersee: “Sha’Carri is always a threat… to win it all” Joyner-Kersee can recall Richardson catching her eye when she competed for Lousiana State University in 2019, setting an NCAA record of 10.75 on her way to the collegiate 100m title. She went pro thereafter. “I knew she was a phenom and a person to beat,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I knew Sha’Carri was going to be someone you have to deal with.” While Richardson’s roller-coaster since has been well documented, Joyner-Kersee believes that much of Sha’Carri’s on- and off-track personality not only help elevate the sport, but also put the American in prime position to claim an Olympic gold after years of hype in the lead-up to Paris 2024. Worlds last August are the perfect example of that, she said. “To be able to put it all together when there were so many naysayers out there… that says a lot about the focus, the concentration, the desire,” explained Joyner-Kersee, noting that Richardson won Worlds from an outside spot in lane 9. “But Sha’Carri has always had the goods. She’s always, to me… she will always be a threat, be a contender, you know, to win it all.” Richardson in good company It’s an era of women’s athletics that has been lauded by many as the greatest. While Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson is sidelined for these Games, Richardson has the likes of the great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to potentially go head-to-head with in the 100m final, while Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Julien Alfred are contenders, too. That’s not even to mention Shericka Jackson in the 200m, or Richardon’s teammate Gabby Thomas. Oh, and we have a showdown in the 400m hurdles with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol. “You know, it’s a cool moment for women’s sprints,” Joyner-Kersee said. “The excitement,… you look at Julien [Alfred] and what she’s been able to accomplish for Saint Lucia, it is just amazing.” Paris marks the end of the road for Fraser-Pryce, the 37-year-old megastar who won gold in the 100m at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and has been a legend in the sport ever since, tacking up eight Olympic medals – three of them golds. “She’s a great ambassador for our sport.”
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