What do Polish short sprinter Ewa Swoboda and American speedster Sha’Carri Richardson have in common? They distinguish themselves from other athletes with their distinctive appearances and sense of glamour. But this is where the similarities end. At Prais, Sha’Carri Richardson managed to return with two medals, but Ewa Swoboda was forced to leave empty-handed.
And now, for the 2024 track and field season, the Polish short sprinter is following Sha’Carri Richardson’s path, having made headlines in the Olympics in Paris with her famous salute but not so much with her performance. Both legendary speedsters will take a break from competition for the remainder of the season, while sprinters all around the world continue with their track and field commitments. Now let’s examine the specifics. Sha’Carri Richardson is being emulated by Ewa Swoboda for the next track and field season.
advertisement Eva Swoboda, the 2019 European indoor 60-meter champion, had an unforgettable summer 2019. Despite her talent and promise, Swoboda came away from the main summer competitions empty-handed, not managing to win a medal in either the women’s 100-meter race or the 4×100-meter relay. The explosive pace that once made her a household name on the track was a long cry from her performances. Swoboda is now aiming to regain her position at home at the Wanda Diamond League in Silesia, Poland, as the season comes to an end.
She’s excited to move on from a bad season and is ready to race in front of her home audience, so the stakes are high. The two-time U23 European 100-meter champion, however, will not run again after this event, suggesting that she will take a much-needed break following the Diamond League. In a humorous video that X user Owen posted, Swoboda smiled cheekily in response to a question about what she planned to do after the season—a subtle nod towards taking a vacation from her demanding training regimen. It’s interesting to note that American sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson has also hinted that she would miss the rest of the 2024 track and field season. Similar to Swoboda’s choice, Richardson made hints about withdrawing the competition in a recent Instagram story. Fans have been speculating since Richardson, unlike Swoboda, has not joined the Diamond League despite the involvement of multiple Olympians, such as gold medallist Letsile Tebogo in the 200 meters and Femke Bol in the 4×400 meters mixed relay.
advertisement Olympic Performance: Sha’Carri Richardson vs. Ewa Swoboda For the remainder of 2024, Swoboda and Richardson may be following similar routes, but during the Olympics, their paths differed significantly. Swoboda’s trip to Paris was cut short as she was only able to get to the 100-meter semifinals and when her team, the Polish 4×100-meter relay, was eliminated in the first round after placing fifth. Richardson, on the other hand, was brilliant in Paris and won two medals. Despite coming second in the 100m behind Julien Alfred, she just lost out on the gold, but she rallied magnificently in the 4x100m relay. Richardson ran the anchor leg, and her team won thanks to her incredible 10.09-second sprint.
Richardson’s absence from the Diamond League may present Swoboda with a fantastic chance to cap off her season with a victory as she gets ready for her last race of the year. Swoboda will be eager to take advantage of this opportunity to make amends and prove to the world that she still possesses the skills necessary to compete at the top level, especially with the support of the Polish public. Will Swoboda win the title in front of her home supporters by taking advantage of Richardson’s absence? There’s a tangible sense of expectancy and the stage is set.
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