'That's what the world doesn't see'- Sha'Carri Richardson view of track and field that echoes Usain Bolt's famous words

Sha'Carri Richardson's mentality alligns with Usain Bolt's famous words

'That's what the world doesn't see'- Sha'Carri Richardson view of track and field that echoes Usain Bolt's famous words

Stephen Awino 20:00 - 15.01.2025

Both Sha'Carri Richardson and Usain Bolt reveal a shared truth about the unseen journey to fleeting Olympics moments.

Olympic silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson is one of the fastest women alive, and it’s no surprise that her perspective on track and field resonates with that of one of the world’s fastest men, Usain Bolt.

Bolt once famously remarked, “I trained four years to run nine seconds,” a statement that captures the immense dedication and effort required to shine in moments that are often over in the blink of an eye.

Richardson’s sentiments, shared during her cover feature in Vogue in 2024, echo this view, particularly when it comes to the fleeting moments of the Olympics.

“Most people only think of track every four years,” said Richardson.

“The Olympics, that’s all there is—those few seconds on TV. But for me, track is my life on a day-to-day basis. Everything I do—what I eat, what I drink, if I stay up too late—it’s all reflected on the track. Every choice. That’s what the world doesn’t see.”

Richardson’s 2024 Olympics debut was nothing short of remarkable, yet missing out on gold in the women's 100m seemed underwhelming for the reigning world champion who claimed silver in the event, losing out to St. Lucia's Julien Alfred.

She played a pivotal role in securing gold for Team USA as the anchor in the women’s 4x100m relay. Her journey to these achievements underscores the grueling preparation and discipline that go unnoticed by many.

Bolt’s career further exemplifies the intense dedication required in track and field. Participating in four Olympic Games—Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016—Bolt amassed an extraordinary eight Olympic gold medals. His unprecedented back-to-back doubles in the 100m and 200m cemented his legacy as a track and field legend.

Bolt’s world records stand as a testament to his exceptional talent and work ethic. In 2009, at the World Championships in Berlin, he set the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds and the 200m world record at 19.19 seconds. These achievements remain benchmarks in the sport, symbolizing the culmination of years of relentless training.

Both Richardson and Bolt reveal a shared truth about track and field that while the public sees mere seconds of brilliance, the journey to those moments demands a lifetime of sacrifice, discipline, and focus.