Sha'Carri Richardson's path to the Paris Olympics came with a speedbump. After qualifying for the Tokyo Games, she was held out due to a suspension.

She has since won two world golds (100m and 4x100m relay), and Richardson will likely enter Paris as a heavy favorite for multiple Olympic gold medals.

Why didn’t Sha’Carri Richardson compete in the Tokyo Olympics?

Sha'Carri Richardson qualified for the Tokyo Games by winning the 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a blazing time of 10.86 seconds, edging Javianne Oliver by 0.13 seconds.

But a few days later, a sample revealed that Richardson had tested positive for cannabis use. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) then suspended her for one month, which kept her out of the Tokyo Games. Richardson later admitted to taking the drug. The World Anti-Doping Agency announced after the Tokyo Olympics that it would conduct “a review regarding the prohibited status of cannabis.”

How did Sha’Carri Richardson do in the 2023 Diamond League?

Sha'Carri Richardson dominated the 2023 Diamond League. She racked up 100m victories at Doha, Silesia and Zurich. The win in Zurich came just over a week after her 100m and 4x100m relay victories at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. Richardson’s 2023 season was simply sensational.

Who is Sha’Carri Richardson’s biggest competitor?

Sha'Carri Richardson's top competitors are Jamaican stars Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished second and third at Worlds in the 100m, respectively. Jackson is also the reigning 200m world champion, while Fraser-Pryce, 37, announced that Paris will be her fifth and final Olympics. Other competitors Richardson will watch closely include Saint Lucia standout Julien Alfred, Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote d’Ivoire, Jamaican legend Elaine Thompson-Herah and U.S. teammate Aleia Hobbs.

Who is Sha’Carri Richardson’s coach?

Sha'Carri Richardson's coach is Dennis Mitchell, who won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the 4x100m relay. Mitchell also earned a bronze medal in the 100m during the same Olympics and a silver at the Atlanta Games in the relay.