Sha'Carri Richardson Qualifies for Tokyo Olympics, Reveals Recent Death of Mother

By Alyssa Wilson Published: June 21, 2021

Sha’Carri Richardson Qualifies for Tokyo Olympics, Reveals Recent Death of Mother

Sha'Carri Richardson celebrates after winning the women's 100-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Eugene, Ore.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

By: Alyssa Wilson

Sha’Carri Richardson took social media and the world by storm after earning her place as part of the U.S. Track & Field contingent for the Tokyo Olympics. According to ESPN, she is competing in her first Olympic Trials at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The 21-year-old won the 100-meter race with a time of 10.86 seconds.

SHA’CARRI ? RICHARDSON ?

Absolutely incredible. Booked a trip to the Tokyo Olympics.

(via @TeamUSA)pic.twitter.com/Vm5iP8yQwG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2021

After the race, she ran into the stands to embrace her family and explained their influence on her. “My family has kept me grounded,” she said. “This year has been crazy for me. Going from just last week, losing my biological mother, and I’m still here.”

This ❤️

Sha’Carri Richardson embraces her family after qualifying for her first Olympic Games.#TrackFieldTrials21 | #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/4nvDFi2iYD

— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) June 20, 2021

It has not been an easy year for Richardson, but she says she is on a mission to make her family proud. “I’m still here. Last week, finding out my biological mother passed away and still choosing to pursue my dreams, still coming out here, still here to make the family that I do still have on this Earth proud,” she said.

“I’m highly blessed and grateful… My family is my everything. My everything until the day I’m done.”

Sha’Carri Richardson with so many emotions after earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/8ujBpBSwVC

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 20, 2021

Richardson became a star after a successful freshman season at Louisiana State University, where she claimed the 2019 NCAA title in the 100 meters. In the Miramar Invitational in April, she was the sixth-fastest person in history.