American sprint queen Sha'Carri Richardson has opened up about why she loves the track so much following rejection from her biological mother and contemplating suicide while in junior high school.
Many track and field fans may just know unapologetic Sha’Carri Richardson as the reigning World 100m champion but the American has a touching story behind her love for the track.
In her childhood, Richardson faced rejection from her mother and had to be raised by her grandmother and aunt, who loved her unconditionally but she still felt like there was a gap in her life.
Speaking during an interview with Park Stories, Richardson’s aunt, Shayaria Richardson explained that the 24-year-old wanted to always keep running to escape everything that she had gone through at a young age.
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“I was always asking myself what was wrong with me…why is it that she never wanted to be with me? My mother not wanting to be around me made me believe that nobody ever wanted to be around me,” Richardson said.
Her grandmother, Betty Harp, took her in and made her know that she always wanted to be around her and since then, her aunt admitted that Richardson has always been her grandmother’s baby.
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She added that having her grandmother and aunt by her side is what made her work hard to be where she is today and get a chance to sit at the same table with the top sprinters in the world.
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“No matter what was going on in my life when I went to the track it was always track. It takes me to this place where I’m just at peace,” Richardson said.
Her grandmother also seconded her sentiments, explaining that the sprint sensation found therapy on the track.
At some point, Richardson even contemplated committing suicide when she was a junior in high school but then narrowly survived. Since then, her aunt and grandmother have always held her hand and Richardson admitted that she needed that love.
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Her motivation to win races also comes from the frustrations she has had in the past and she explained that doing well in events makes her forget about her challenges. However, it is easier for her to relapse when she loses and it gets people talking.