On November 3, Sha’Carri Richardson made an appearance at the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons, showing support for her hometown Cowboys. Christian Coleman joined her in the crowd, as well as a few other celebrities. While the game initially highlighted the star-studded audience, attention soon turned when the Cowboys lost to the Falcons, who claimed victory. Following the game, the Falcons’ official account posted on X, calling Richardson the “Fastest woman in the world,” sparking an online debate. Fans questioned if Richardson truly deserves this title or if it should go to Julien Alfred, igniting strong opinions on both sides.
Olympic Gold Medalist
Fastest woman in the world@itsshacarri in the house! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OkjgNpoCKC— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 3, 2024
This debate echoes a recent controversy involving Noah Lyles. Earlier in the year, Lyles called himself the “world’s fastest man,” which drew reactions from the track and field community, especially since Usain Bolt still holds iconic sprint records. Lyles clarified that the title typically goes to the reigning Olympic or world champion, both of which he held. Despite this, his rank on this year’s world-leading list in the men’s 100m doesn’t place him at the top, adding nuance to the debate. Fans are now asking if Richardson has a similar basis to claim the title, given that she missed out on the Olympic 100m gold in Paris this year.
In Budapest last year, Richardson captured the 100m world title, but this season, she has fallen short of the Olympic gold, which many fans consider essential for the title of “world’s fastest woman.” This stance was echoed by Raes Take TV in the comments on the Falcons’ post, pointing out that the Olympic champion usually holds this title. In men’s sprinting, Lyles is considered the fastest due to his Olympic and world championship victories, but Richardson lacks that Olympic victory, making her claim less clear-cut.
Julien Alfred, on the other hand, took the gold in the women’s 100m at the Paris Olympics, defeating Richardson. Many fans view this win as definitive proof that Alfred deserves the title. Alfred, who hails from St. Lucia, has been celebrated for her Olympic success, though she has not publicly sought the “world’s fastest woman” title. Instead, her focus has been on athletic achievement itself, a dedication recognized by track and field enthusiasts. A St. Lucian supporter in the comment section emphasized this, urging the Falcons to correct their post and acknowledge Alfred as the rightful holder of the title based on her Olympic gold.
The debate continued as more fans joined in, with some pointing out Richardson’s impressive world-leading times, yet reinforcing that the Olympic title remains key. This clash of views highlights how public perception and official titles sometimes diverge, especially in an Olympic year. Track and field fans passionately argued that, by current standards, Richardson ranks as the second fastest, crediting her with silver-level status, while insisting that Alfred wears the crown as Olympic champion.
Comments on the post called out the Falcons for failing to fact-check, with one fan suggesting that even a basic search would confirm the error. As the debate escalated, fans split into factions—some backing Richardson for her achievements outside the Olympics, others firmly supporting Alfred for her Olympic gold. The Falcons have yet to amend their post, and the conversation surrounding who deserves the title of “fastest woman in the world” continues.