"They just hire anybody ";"Trying to erase Jeter is insane"-Fans react as Sha'Carri Richardson named only US female silver medalist in 100m since 2000

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Aug 04, 2024 10:27 GMT

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After Sha'Carri Richardson won the silver medal in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a now-deleted tweet from the media outlet "SportsCenter", reportedly deemed Sha'Carri Richardson as the only American woman to win a silver medal in the 100m since 2000. This tweet drew widespread criticism from fans online, who claimed that it overlooked the other female athletes from USA who had also won a silver medal in previous editions of the Games.

Lauryn Williams, Carmelita Jeter, and Tori Bowie won the silver medal in the 100m event in the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, and 2016 Rio Olympics, respectively. The tweet was subject to massive criticism, including Denise Spann, a journalist who reacted to the original tweet from "Sportscenter" on X, and wrote,

"This is why you need track and field journalists. All love to Sha'Carri but this is WRONG. Let's not erase Tori Bowie (2016) and Carmelita Jeter (2012)!! BOTH SILVER MEDALISTS," Spann wrote.

Responding to Spann's tweet, another user remarked,

"Omg no they didn't! They just hire ANYBODY."

Recalling Carmelita Jeter winning the silver medal in 100m at the 2012 London Olympics, a user wrote,

"Trying to erase Jeter is insane!"

Another user mentioned Lauryn Williams, who won the silver medal during the Athens Olympics.

"And Lauren Williams 2004," the fan wrote.

One user criticized the original tweet and commented,

"Are we not reading any of this? How can this be the best since 2000 when the best was actually 1996 with Gail Devers, 2000 USA was stripped of medal 2004 Lauryn Williams took silver, 2008 USA had no medals 2012 Jeter and 2016 Bowie and NO medal in 2020 so in all its the highest since 2016 - big difference than 2000....," they wrote.

Gail Devers had last won an Olympic gold medal for USA in women's 100m at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. It's been almost three decades since an American female sprinter has won the highest honor of women's 100m.

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Sha'Carri Richardson's performances at the Paris Olympics

Sha'Carri Richardson of USA looks on as Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia celebrates her win in 100m at Paris Olympics 2024 [Image Sources: Getty]

Despite finishing behind Julien Alfred, Sha'Carri Richardson proved her mettle with an impressive silver medal in her maiden Games appearance. Amidst the rainy conditions, Sha'Carri Richardson didn't lose focus as she aimed for the ultimate Olympic glory.

Sha'Carri Richardson stood fourth overall in the heats, as she qualified for the semifinals with a timing of 10.94 seconds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of her main competitors from Jamaica, stood second overall with a timing of 10.92 seconds.

However, the Jamaican sprinter suddenly withdrew from the semifinals altogether. Sha'Carri Richardson maintained her focus to qualify for the finals, and with an impressive timing of 10.89 seconds, she stood second overall in the semifinals.

Despite Richardson being touted as the favorite to clinch gold, it was Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia who scripted history by winning the first-ever medal for her country. Even as everybody cheered for Sha'Carri Richardson, Alfred surged ahead at the halfway mark despite the drizzling rain.

Richardson tried to catch up, but it was of no use. Julien Alfred won the 100m gold medal with a national record of 10.72 seconds. Sha'Carri Richardson clocked 10.87 seconds to win the silver, while her compatriot, Melissa Jefferson clinched the bronze with a time of 10.92 seconds.

Sha'Carri Richardson will now aim for a gold medal in the women's 4x100m relay event. The heats for the 4x100m relay will commence on 8th August, with the finals taking place the following day, on 9th August.