Track and field isn't just about winning: Africa's fastest woman in history explodes on Netflix 'disrespect' for SPRINT docuseries

Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith

Track and field isn't just about winning: Africa's fastest woman in history explodes on Netflix 'disrespect' for SPRINT docuseries

Funmilayo Fameso 18:16 - 14.09.2024

Ivorian track legend Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith aired her displeasure with NETFLIX SPRINT producers, reiterating she felt disrespected after being followed all year round.

Despite being Africa's fastest woman in history, Marie Jose Ta Lou-Smith has slammed Netflix on the disrespect she felt after being excluded from the SPRINT documentary series.

SPRINT is a NETFLIX series centered around some of the top sprinters in the world, showcasing the behind-the-scenes of their preparations before major races during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, which culminated at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and Paris Olympic Games.

Season 1 of SPRINT premiered in July 2024

Season 1 premiered in July 2024 and had a worldwide success, featuring some of the world's fastest sprinters in history such as Sha'Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Following the success of Season 1, the producers announced there will be a follow-up season which will be released on November 13, and the production team has been filming ever since at Diamond League meets and national championships before capturing all of the action at the Paris Olympics.

While there have been mixed reactions from track stars and fans, most of the opinion that the show is biased and focuses mainly on American sprinters, Ta Lou-Smith has now aired her opinion on the situation, after being excluded in both seasons despite being the fastest African woman in history.

“I feel really disrespected because when you say you are going to produce a series about the fastest sprinters in the world, you should show [feature] everyone, not only those who win,” said Ta Lou-Smith while speaking with @LillzTIL.

Ivorian sprint legend Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith. Photo: Imago

“Track and field is not only about winning, it is also about people who overcome different situations, good or bad. So, if you want to show the real life of track and field, show everything, don’t leave out others,” she added.

The Ivorian track legend has been one of the most consistent female sprinters within the past decade, having several African and World championship medals in her iconic collections, and has qualified for the final of every major championship during these years.

She isn't happy about being neglected by the Sprint producers after being followed at different events all year round during the filming of the documentary.

“Do not follow people for many hours, record them and just show the people who win, this is not good. I am the African record holder I deserve respect.

"“People look at me and others from Africa see me as a role model and so everything I show them is not just winning medals," the 35-year-old reiterated.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith is a role model to young African sprinters respected by many track fans globally

“When I started track and field, I was not winning, people were beating me but my hard work and sacrifices is what put me where I am. So, if you want to show only people who win so what is the point?

“I cried this year and I feel that this is the moment when they have to respect everyone coming from Africa and everywhere in the world because we deserve respect.

"“I deserve respect everywhere, if it is a meeting. Show everything because people are struggling behind and you have to show that to other athletes and the whole world,” she said.

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