Queer American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is now the fastest woman in the world

Sha’Carri Richardson, the American sprinter whose career was derailed shortly before the Tokyo Olympics after she tested positive for marijuana use, has rebounded. The 23-year-old athlete handily won the 100-meter world championship in Budapest in a come-from-behind moment that has the sports world celebrating an out bisexual Black woman.

Richardson, who admitted to using the non-performance-enhancing drug to cope with her mother’s death, was suspended from competition shortly before the Olympics in 2021. She was expected to easily medal and fans quickly noted that other athletes who had used performance-enhancing drugs were still allowed to compete.

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“I’m here to stay. I’m not back, I’m better,” Richardson declared after becoming a national champion.

While Jamaican rivals Shericka Jackson, the world’s top-ranked sprinter, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a 10-time world champion, were expected to win, Richardson blew past them despite starting from the outside lane. Jackson and Fraser-Pryce dominated at the Olympics and humiliated Richardson during a post-Olympic race in 2021.

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Her performance in 2022 was also disappointing, but Richardson has worked hard to stage a remarkable comeback and has repeatedly won events this year. She ran the fourth-fastest ever women’s 100m at a spring meet, scored her her first Diamond League victory, and easily ran to victory at the US outdoor championships.

While she faltered during the start of the semi-finals, she came back from seventh place to third, qualifying her for the medals round.

In a press conference, Richardson told reporters, “In previous interviews, I mentioned that I’m not back, I’m better. I’m going to stay humble, I’m not back, I’m better and I’m going to continue to be better.”

“Never give up, never allow the media or outsiders to define who you are. Always fight. Never leave sight of yourself. You’ll have good days and bad days but you always have tomorrow.”

Her Jamaican competitors, the favorites to win, congratulated Richardson on her victory after the race. Cameras caught the three of them chatting while cooling down after the race.

“You know how long [since] USA got a gold medal?” Fraser-Pryce asked.

“Because of you!” Richardson shot back. “Because of you!” she said again to Jackson.