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The Jamaican-born four-time Olympic champion infamously booed by the country's fans on her first ever track meet as a pro in Kingston after she decided to run for the United States.
American sprint legend Sanya Richards-Ross recently revealed how a difficult moment early in her career, being booed by Jamaican fans at her first major world athletics event, became a driving force behind her journey to becoming a four-time Olympic gold medallist.
Richards-Ross, born in Kingston, Jamaica, shared her story about how her decision to represent the United States instead of her birth country shaped her path to greatness.
Richards-Ross began her running career at the age of seven, representing Vaz Prep in Jamaica’s youth championships.
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11:00 - 17.03.2024
ATHLETICS American sprint icon Sanya Richards-Ross opens up on why she snubbed Jamaica for USA
Sanya Richards-Ross was born in Jamaica and spent the first 11 years of her life there before moving to the USA, where she has lived since.
At 12, her family moved to Florida to enhance her chances of earning an athletic scholarship to an American university. Though she had adapted to American culture over the years, her decision to run for the U.S. has always sparked mixed reactions, especially from Jamaican fans.
In 2002, at 16 years old, she qualified for her first World Junior Championships, which took place in Jamaica. Despite her impressive silver-medal performance in the 400 meters, Richards-Ross faced a harsh reception from her fellow Jamaicans, who had packed the national stadium.
“My first World Junior Championships were in Jamaica, and it was ironic because the place I fell in love with track was the same place I went back to for my major competition,” she recalled on Vault Empowers.
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14:28 - 18.05.2024
Sanya Richards-Ross opens up on medical procedure that impacted her 2008 Olympic performance
Richards-Ross fluffed her lines at the 2008 Olympics and had to contend with Bronze despite having the gold medal labeled with her own name as she was tipped as the favorite.
“At the time, when I was 16 and the fans were booing me, it was really difficult to take. But I now see it as love.”
Richards-Ross explained that the fans were upset because they had hoped she would compete for Jamaica.
“They wanted me to be competing for Jamaica, but at the time it was really hard because I felt like I had let people down, and they were disappointed,” she said. “The reason I really wanted to run for the USA was lighthearted, and I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”
While the experience was tough, Richards-Ross now views it as a crucial part of her journey. “It taught me a lot of character and appreciation for what I did. I think it laid the foundation for what I went on to do in the sport.”
That foundation would lead Richards-Ross to an extraordinary career. From 2005 to 2009, and again in 2012, she dominated the world rankings in the 400 meters, establishing herself as one of the best in the event. Her crowning achievement came in 2006 when she set the American record of 48.70 seconds in the 400m, a time that still stands today.
Richards-Ross was recognized for her remarkable achievements by being named the IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year in 2006 and again in 2009. She also holds the distinction of having the most sub-50-second performances in the history of the 400 meters, achieving the feat an incredible 49 times.
After retiring from competitive athletics following an injury at the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials, Richards-Ross transitioned into broadcasting and is now a respected track and field analyst for NBC.
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