Jackie Joyner-Kersee is celebrating the new era of women’s athletics, highlighted by American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson.
“Sha’Carri takes it to a whole other level,” Joyner-Kersee told Olympics.com in a recent exclusive interview. The three-time Olympic champion Joyner-Kersee mentioned that Richardson reminds her most of her late sister-in-law, the legendary Florence Griffith-Joyner.
“You know exactly where Sha’Carri is coming from and you know exactly who you’re dealing with,” Joyner-Kersee said in a video interview. “And then she gets out there and backs it up with her performance. When you talk about the nails, the fashion, all the different things… it’s just amazing to see her bring that flair.
“These young women are transcending our sport… and people are appreciating their talent too,” she added.
Richardson aims to emulate Griffith-Joyner in the women’s 100m final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with the 24-year-old striving to become the first American woman to win the Olympic title in this event since Gail Devers in Atlanta 1996.
Joyner-Kersee’s prediction for that coveted gold?
“I have to go with our world champion,” she said after a pause, noting Richardson’s win at the World Championships in 2023. “It’s my hope that Sha’Carri wins. I’m not going to bet against her because she is the reigning world champion.”