Sha'Carri Richardson reveals reason behind her viral stare-down during 2024 Paris Olympics relay race
DALLAS, TEXAS: Olympic gold medalist Sha'Carri Richardson said that the reason for her viral stare-down during the 2024 Paris Olympics relay race was because she was "just looking at a version of myself that nobody but me could see."
Richardson's legendary glare, known as the 'Shar'Carri Stare,' during the US victory in the women's 4x100 relay has become one of the standout moments of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, according to USA Today.
The Sha'Carri stare. đź‘€ #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/03cVEsasOc
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
Sha'Carri Richardson reveals reason for her stare-down
Sha'Carri Richardson said during an interview with Refinery29, "I looked over and I just knew that no matter what was going on, there was nobody that I was going to allow — even myself — to be in front of me."
She added, "I wasn't going to even allow myself to not cross that finish line in first place and not get that medal, or to let down those ladies and the support that we received when it comes to us crossing the finish line, in first place as Team USA."
She also revealed the real reason behind her viral staredown and said, "The look over was — it's almost like it was a mirror on that side of me, and I'm just looking at a version of myself that nobody but me could see."
She further mentioned, "I'm always my biggest competitor so I had to leave my best on the track. So just looking over, it was more so showing that the hard work that all of us ladies in that 4x1 put in was not going to be in vain."
She also said that she may have to put the viral staredown photo somewhere in her house.
Richardson ran the final leg for Team USA comprising of Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry in the 4x100-meter relay.
Richardson got the baton from Thomas in third place but she ran a dominant anchor leg to secure the gold for the US. While she approached the finish line, she glanced over at sprinters from Great Britain and Germany, who finished in second and third spots, respectively.
Internet reacts as Richardson reveals reason for stare-down
Several internet users dropped their views as Sha'Carri Richardson revealed the reason for her viral stare-down during the 2024 Paris Olympics relay race was that she was just looking at a version of herself that nobody but her could see.
A user wrote on X, "She looked at the woman, and then activated another level as she kicked into overdrive. It was incredible," while one added, "Probably could've broken an Olympic record, but used a team effort to showboat."
She looked at the woman, and then activated another level as she kicked into overdrive. It was incredible.
— Dr. Julie Gurner (@drgurner) August 9, 2024
Probably could've broken an Olympic record, but used a team effort to showboat.
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) August 9, 2024
A person also stated, "She is running so fast that her foot is not on the ground!" whereas one mentioned, "Meh, the arrogance is off putting. Congratulations I guess."
She is running so fast that her foot is not on the ground! Look at her shadow and look at everybody else’s. Because I don’t know if my eyes are deceiving me!
— Joan Harvey (@Jharv241Joan) August 9, 2024
Meh, the arrogance is off putting. Congratulations I guess.
— Quetopulus (@quincylsb) August 10, 2024
A user also wrote, "She absolutely dominated this," while one commented, "She should be looking back at Gabby Douglas since she wouldn’t have even gotten the baton without her."
She should be looking back at Gabby Douglas since she wouldn’t have even gotten the baton without her. Richardson just about dropped it. Would’ve been way out in front after Douglas’s 3rd leg if she didn’t almost choke.
— Coach Middlescreen (@middlescreen1) August 9, 2024
A person also said, "She's actually a superhero and a was judging how fast the competition is running incase she needed to turn the speed up a little more."
She's actually a superhero and a was judging how fast the competition is running incase she needed to turn the speed up a little more like that scene from the incredibles movie
— Scott (@applypressure28) August 9, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.