Sha’Carri Richardson has had a phenomenal year. So when the ESPYs were announced, she assumed she would be front and center of the celebrations this year.
However, the record-breaking track star did not receive an invite and took to her Twitter account to call ESPN out for the non-invite.
“The ESPYS invited me when my life was in shambles as if I was a charity case. The disrespect that track & field receives in the USA alone is nasty. Half of the athletes there now could not do what we do on our WORST day. #espys,” Richardson tweeted.
Richardson tested positive for marijuana and was suspended from the sport for 30 days back in 2021. She apologized live on national television, explaining that she had just learned that her biological mother had passed away. The suspension meant Richardson was not cleared to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
Despite the suspension, Richardson was invited to several star-studded events and even landed endorsement deals.
Earlier this month, Richardson clocked a record-breaking 10.71 seconds in the opening heat of the 100m dash at the United States Championships in Eugene, Ore. The record was previously held by Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast, who ran 10.75 at the Oslo Diamond League.
The sprinter is now eyeing the World Championships in Budapest next month.
And it’s Black girl magic all around when it comes to track and field.
Last Sunday, Gabby Thomas secured the title for the best time in the world in 2023 for the women’s 200 meters at the U.S. track and field championships.
Thomas finished the race in 21.60 seconds, while Richardson came in at a close second with a time of 21.94, which was a personal best for her.
“This one is really sweet. Coming from the injury is just so emotionally and mentally grueling, you just don’t know what to expect. You’re kind of off your game a little bit,” Thomas said following her victory. “Your confidence is a little shot. So for me to come back and train really hard, work hard all season to be at this really competitive meet is amazing.”
