Recently, track and field athlete Sha’Carri Richardson took to Twitter to address the criticism she has faced following her past losses in 2021.
According to the Atlanta Black Star, the 21-year-old rose to athletic stardom after winning her first race in the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June 2021. However, she was banned from participating in the Olympic event after testing positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. In addition, she faced backlash from many fans, athletes, and critics following a mistake that impacted her athletic career.
Since then, Richardson has been transparent regarding her losses and addressed them on social media, prompting a mixture of responses from those who support her and others that criticized her.
On Jan. 18, she took to Twitter and defended herself in a Tweet saying, “Y’all that keep saying I came last MONTHS AGO & y’all won’t see that again but has your life changed since? Same place, right ?”
Y’all that keep saying I came last MONTHS AGO & y’all won’t see that again but has your life changed since ? Same place right ? 😇
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) January 18, 2022
After the ban was lifted, the American sprinter underperformed in several races, including her first race at the Prefontaine Classic in August, where she finished last. Then, in September, she had another upsetting closing at the Diamond League competition, where she finished fourth.
One Twitter user said, “That must’ve really hurt you,” regarding last year’s races.
That must’ve really hurt you pic.twitter.com/9jYfIBnorw
— I dont like drama; I like to look at the drama (@Liljune8639) January 18, 2022
Someone else said, “Sis got one of the worst attitudes I’ve ever seen from an athlete.”
Sis got one of the worst attitudes I’ve ever seen from an athlete
— Kristoff Samm (@kristoffsamm) January 18, 2022
While the criticism continued, some fans defended the 21-year-old on the social platform.
One person advised, “Stay off of social media. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Don’t let one incident become a part of you. You going to end up driving yourself crazy. People always have something to say because they are not happy in [their] lives or they just like to keep up with the bullsh**.”
Stay off of social media. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Don’t let one incident become a part of you. You going to end up driving yourself crazy. People always have something to say, because they are not happy in there lives or they just like to keep up with the bullshit.
— WHERE’S SLAVES SHIP?🚢 (@jewjew5446) January 18, 2022
Another user wrote, “Girl… don’t trip on the NEGATIVENANCY’SS-do your thing!! You GOT THIS!! Yesterday’s points don’t count fotoday’say ballgame. Stay focused & “E’ff” them HATERS!! Red heart You Sha’Carri.”
Girl… don’t trip on the NEGATIVE NANCYS-do your thing!! You GOT THIS!!! Yesterdays points don’t count for today ballgame. Stay focused & “E’ff” them HATERS!! ❤️ You Sha’Carri
— Mz. T02 (@MzT02) January 18, 2022
