“I can have a conversation for 10 min with you” - Sha'Carri Richardson on how she’d react to her favorite compliment
Sha'Carri Richardson showcased her talent at the Paris Olympic Games where she won two medals - a silver in the women’s 100m and a gold in the women’s 4x100m relay. Following her successful Olympic campaign, Richardson talked about her favorite compliment and how she'd react if she was given it herself.
In a "Getting to Know" segment with BBC Sport, Richardson revealed a few lesser-known facts about herself, from her pre-race vibes to what it feels like to be one of the fastest women alive. The reigning world champion said about her favorite compliment:
"Oh my Gosh, I say this all the time, 'You smell good.' If somebody tells me that I smell good, that is a compliment I can at least have a conversation for 10 minutes with you."
Richardson added that whenever she is around people, she notices that they're nervous. She claimed she's just like them and that the only thing setting them apart is that she can run fast.
"It’s funny when people meet me, they’ll be nervous. But I’ll be like 'Baby, I am you, I just run fast, Ok.' That’s it," Richardson said.
Speaking about her pre-race vibes, Richardson said:
"It be so tense back there, everybody has to be so quiet and just so serious. I just be like y’all, like yes we gonna race each other, yes we gonna do what we do regardless but still relax, whoosah!"
During the interview, Richardson was not shy about showing off her signature nails. She added that having long nails has attracted a lot of questions from people.
"When people see me on the street and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, what do you do for work?’ and ‘How do you function with those nails?’ I can," she said.
When asked about any other thing she is fast at and how it feels being fast, Sha’Carri Richardson said:
"Talking. I can definitely run down some stuff sometimes. Like literally my team, my training partners, they be like, 'Huh, what did you just say?'"
When asked about what it feels like to run fast, she said:
"Like in the movies you know how like everything just be slowing down and it’s you just you’re the only thing that’s moving. That’s literally how I feel."
Sha'Carri Richardson lauds Gabby Thomas after winning gold for Team USA
Sha'Carri Richardson anchored the women’s 4x100m relay team to victory at the Paris Olympic Games. In an interview with Olympics.com, Richardson explained that having Thomas on the team was a boost, before expressing confidence in her compatriot’s abilities.
"The moment that I realized that when we won, the USA ladies, it was a phenomenal feeling for all of us. I was very comfortable with this team. I just remember trusting Gabby and knowing that she’s going to put this thing in my hand no matter what. I wanted to leave my best on the track," she said.
Team USA, comprising Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry and Gabby Thomas clocked a stunning 41.78 seconds ahead of Great Britain who came in second in a time of 41.85s. Germany completed the podium in a time of 41.97s.
Sha'Carri Richardson was coming off a silver medal in the women’s 100m, clocking 10.87s to cross the finish line. Julien Alfred won the race in 10.72s and Jefferson completed the podium in 10.92s.