Olympic Setback: What Went Wrong for Sha’Carri Richardson? According to Justin Gatlin
Gatlin has explained what went wrong for Sha’Carri Richardson in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, after she was defeated by Julian Alfred of Saint Lucia in the 100-meter final.
Sha’Carri Richardson had to settle for second place in the 100-meter final of the 2024 Olympic Games after losing to Julian Alfred of Saint Lucia on Saturday night. American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has outlined what went wrong for Richardson.
With a stunning victory in the Stade de France, the three-time NCAA champion gave Saint Lucia its first Olympic medal in Games history by defeating pre-race favourite Richardson in 10.72 seconds.
The first American runner to win two medals in the same event since Atlanta 1996, Richardson, got silver in 10.87 and fellow countrywoman Melissa Jefferson took bronze in 10.92.
Though Gatlin, who has previously found himself in a situation where he failed to win a race many had tipped him to back in 2015 at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, offered his expertise as to what may have gone wrong for Richardson, she will feel that she did not live up to expectations.
“I believe Sha’Carri has established herself as a fighter, which is how she got her start in the game. She’s battled the entire planet. We are aware of that since her races demonstrate it. Gatlin stated on the Night Cap podcast that “she is howling when she gets over that queue.”
“I saw her sprint, and in the semifinals and finals, she did not display that. Similar to the Super Bowl, when you cross the Olympic line, all of your memories of winning an Olympic medal or attending the Super Bowl suddenly come flooding back. That time has come.
“I believe that sometimes, it gets greater than you and the preparation, you have to set it aside and say, everything that brought me to this point, I will do it again. It’s a heavy moment you have to wear on your back when the gun goes off.
“I believe the Sha’Carri who appeared at the Olympic trials would have handled business today, but I don’t think the Sha’Carri we know showed up today. That’s not to say anything against her. The race would have been extremely competitive and close.
Gatlin has attributed her lacklustre performance to her rough beginnings, which is something she has to address if she wants to improve.
Following her poor start, she was unable to improve as Alfred led the race from beginning to end.
The 2004 Olympic champion brought up his old coach Dennis Mitchell’s insistence on having poor beginnings; Mitchell is currently Richardson’s coach.
She is actually coached by my former coach. He used to say that since 9.7 doesn’t catch 9.7, you can’t give someone who is on par with you a disadvantage when you’re up against her. Make sure you complete your checks and balances, and when the gun goes off, focus on your strongest suit for anything.
The second half is her strongest suit. Julian Alfred is strong, therefore, she needs to be at least a striking distance away from him. She was going to cross that boundary, and she did. She gained the upper hand and did not give up the lead.
Together with Usain Bolt, he improved his start. You don’t have to take the lead. The truth is that the Olympic gold is somewhere else because we know what she is capable of at 50 meters.Let her use that as a challenge to perform better. We require a 10.5.
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