Sha'Carri Richardson's 'Big Momma' Speaks Out: 'I Made Her Tough'

As her star has risen as the the fastest woman in the world, Sha'Carri Richardson has always honored her roots. As FashionThe pre-Paris Olympics cover star included some of her family members – her sister, an aunt and several cousins ​​- in her photo shoot. Richardson's next best-known family member might be her grandmother Betty Harp, whom she affectionately calls “Big Momma” and is the person who raised her. After Richardson's two Olympic qualifiers in 2021 and earlier this year, she ran into the stands and into Harp's arms. In the new interview with FashionHarp discussed how her own strength has empowered Richardson.

“Sha'Carri is tough. I made her tough,” Harp said. “I am a strong woman, I have overcome obstacles in my life. So I knew what I was talking about when, from time to time, things got tough and she wanted to give up — and I said, “Don't start anything and don't finish it. You start, you finish.” Richardson reinforced Harp's words. “Everything I am is because of this strong, wise black woman,” she said of her grandmother. “Everything. I mean, I've been blessed, because I've had other people in my life that have helped me. But the foundation, that's it.”

Richardson's tenacity was tested when, after qualifying for the 100m race at the 2021 Tokyo Games, her place was canceled after testing positive for THC and USA and Athletics did not select her to run in the 4×100m relay. Richardson said she used marijuana in Oregon, where it is legal, to cope after learning of her mother's sudden death from a reporter during an interview just days before trials began there.

As the Paris Games approach, Richardson repeats the mantra “I'm not back, I'm better” in her public comment. “I don't just mean I'm a better runner… It's beyond that. I'm better at being Sha'Carri,” she said Fashion. “I'm better at being myself.”

She said she keeps her cool under pressure on the track by focusing on the present (“If all I'm doing is looking ahead, then I can't be where I need to be. What's here, now.”) and appreciating Childhood. said Harp Fashion that when Richardson returns to the Texas where she grew up, she makes sure her granddaughter has the privacy and support to be fully herself. “If Sha'Carri is home, this is private time. No one is looking at her,” Harp said. “She's just playing cards, fooling around with her cousins. I just love her to death.”