Sha’Carri Richardson Withdraws from Diamond League 200m Final After 100m Disappointment

Brussels – September 14, 2024 – World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson has withdrawn from the 200m race at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, a day after a surprising eighth-place finish in the 100m event.

Richardson was originally set to be the star attraction in Saturday’s 200m race, but her sudden withdrawal has shocked fans. Dutch sprinter Tasa Jiya will replace the American in the lineup, though no official reason for Richardson’s decision to pull out has been given.

This comes on the heels of a disappointing performance in the 100m on Friday, where Richardson finished last with a time of 11.23 seconds, far behind the winner, Julien Alfred of St. Lucia, who clocked 10.88 seconds to claim victory. Richardson, known for her explosive speed, had a poor start and struggled throughout the race, opting to slow down towards the finish line—a move that left her fans disappointed.

Richardson had been expected to make amends in the 200m on Saturday, but her withdrawal has left many speculating about the reasons behind her decision, with theories ranging from injury to mental fatigue.

The American sprinter has had an up-and-down season, entering the year as a top contender for Olympic gold before being upset by Alfred. Fans were anticipating a fierce rematch in Brussels after Richardson avenged her loss in Zurich a week ago, but the much-anticipated showdown will not take place.

In Richardson’s absence, the focus now shifts to Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and Ivorian veteran Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who will headline the race. They will be joined by Americans Brittany Brown, Tamara Clark, and Anavia Battle, along with Ivorian sprinter Maboundou Kone and British athletes Daryll Neita and Amy Hunt.