Jackie Joyner-Kersee on Sha’Carri Richardson: She reminds me of Florence Griffith-Joyner

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.

“What has stood out the most to me about Shelly-Ann is her humility and her tenacity,” Joyner-Kersee said. “This is her last Olympics, last go around. It’s a credit to her and her coach to be able to stay focused… being a wife and then having a child and still running at top level – that says a lot about her. Not only her preparation, but also her desire and then, goal-setting and to see it all through.

“She’s a great ambassador for our sport.”

Joyner-Kersee said that’s something that Richardson has done, too, even as she’s entered into global icon status.

“From what I’ve been able to observe, I love how she performs on the track, and then how she gives her time to young people, too,” she added. “She’s shared with them about, ‘Don’t make the mistakes I made‘ … or whatever it may be. You have to give credit to [Sha’Carri]: She’s vulnerable and then has been able to back up what she puts out there.”