Sha'Carri Richardson's teammate Twanisha 'Tee Tee' Terry opens up on struggles with asthma growing up

Sha'Carri Richardson's teammate Twanisha 'Tee Tee' Terry opens up on struggles with asthma growing up

Mark Kinyanjui 19:09 - 16.11.2024

Twanisha 'Tee Tee' Terry has opened up about her struggles with asthma at a young age literally used to make other kids laugh at her whenever she wheezed.

American sprint sensation Twanisha ‘Tee Tee’ Terry has revealed the challenges she faced as a young child with severe asthma, a condition that almost derailed her dream of pursuing a career in track and field.

Terry, a key member of the US 4x100-meter relay team that secured gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, opened up about her journey during a candid Q&A session on her YouTube channel.

 The relay team, featuring Star Athletics teammates Mellisa Jefferson, Sha’Carri Richardson, and 200m champion Gabby Thomas, showcased dominance on the global stage.

In the individual 100m final, Terry held her own in a fiercely competitive field, finishing fifth behind her teammates Richardson and Jefferson, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.

Despite her athletic success, Terry’s journey was anything but smooth. She revealed that her childhood battles with asthma initially made her mother hesitant to let her pursue a career in track and field.

“Track and field was the only sport I did. My mum was even scared to put me on track and field because I am asthmatic,” Terry shared.

Describing the severity of her condition, she recounted: “When I was younger, my asthma was really bad. I used to travel with a breathing machine to junior Olympics and different meets. 

“I used to be barking up like a dog. It wasn’t really like a cough—it was deep from the soul. My teammates used to love when I did it, but I was going through stuff and didn’t even understand the severity of the situation.”

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Terry balanced her track commitments with academic pursuits, earning two master’s degrees before turning professional.

Her breakthrough moment came at just 19 years old in April 2018, when she clocked an impressive 10.99 seconds in the 100m at the Mt SAC Relays. This achievement made her the joint fourth-fastest U20 woman in history and hinted at her immense potential.

Terry’s journey from a young girl struggling with asthma to an Olympic gold medalist serves as a testament to resilience and determination. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most significant challenges can be overcome with perseverance.

With her blend of academic and athletic achievements, Terry continues to inspire a new generation of athletes, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable when passion and hard work are in play.

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