Sha’Carri Richardson has been absent from the track and field spotlight for a while. While her qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics generated significant excitement among her fans, the buzz surrounding her quickly faded after her 100m performance. She entered the competition as the favorite to win gold, but an unexpectedly slow start proved costly. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia seized the opportunity, making history by winning her country’s first-ever Olympic gold in the event with a time of 10.72 seconds.
Although Richardson managed to redeem herself by leading the U.S. women’s 4x100m relay team to victory with a time of 41.78 seconds, she largely remained out of the public eye following the Olympics. Fans eagerly awaited news of her return, and now, it appears they won’t have to wait much longer. The American sprint star has announced her much-anticipated comeback to competitive racing, setting the stage for a thrilling return to the track.
BOOOM 👑
Sha’Carri Richardson is coming to #EugeneDL 🇺🇸
She is set to headline the women’s 100m at the 50th Edition of The Prefontaine Classic‼️
Saturday, July 5 – Don’t miss it 😮💨
Tickets 🎟️ https://t.co/kpblsghPA4#DiamondLeague 💎 #Athletics pic.twitter.com/MIWCwP8AMU
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) February 20, 2025
Richardson recently revealed that she will make her 2025 season debut at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on July 5. This event will be the ninth stop on the Wanda Diamond League circuit for the season, and as expected, she will headline the women’s 100m race. While her return has sparked excitement among her supporters, her decision to begin her campaign at Hayward Field is also a strategically sound move. The venue has been a particularly successful location for her throughout her career, holding special significance due to her numerous past victories there.
For those unfamiliar with her track record at Hayward Field, this was the location where she secured the 2023 U.S. Championship title in the 100m. Following that victory, she made a now-famous statement: “I’m not back, I’m better.” Her decision to return to the Prefontaine Classic was also confirmed by an official post from Nike on social media, which read, “OFFICIAL: Sha’Carri Richardson is coming to #Pre50. The reigning 100m World Champion and 4x100m Olympic gold medalist is set to headline the women’s 100m at the Prefontaine Classic.”
Her past success at this venue extends beyond national competitions. In 2023, she claimed the 100m world championship title in Budapest with an impressive time of 10.65 seconds, outperforming Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished second and third, respectively. In addition, she earned a silver medal in the 100m at the Paris Olympics and has accumulated five victories in the Diamond League since 2023.
Competing at Hayward Field during the previous Diamond League season, Richardson clocked a blistering 10.83 seconds in the 100m, making it the fastest time of the entire circuit that year. With such a strong history at this venue, she will undoubtedly aim to make another statement in her return to competition.
Beyond her performances on the track, Richardson continues to thrive in the world of sports endorsements. Her partnership with Nike remains strong, and she has been vocal about her appreciation for the brand’s latest projects. Recently, she expressed her excitement over Nike’s new silk hoodie collection designed for WNBA star A’ja Wilson, sharing her gratitude on social media.
Her relationship with Nike has also led to notable opportunities, including a milestone moment earlier this year when she became the first U.S. track and field athlete in 27 years to be featured in a Nike Super Bowl commercial. The advertisement carried the tagline, “You can’t win. So Win,” set against a black-and-white backdrop. Additionally, she was prominently featured in Nike’s athlete-focused shopping collection, where she was showcased in a striking red tracksuit.
As she prepares for her return to competition, Richardson’s influence extends beyond her performances on the track, making an impact in both athletics and fashion. With her return to Hayward Field on the horizon, all eyes will be on her to see whether she can reclaim her dominance or if the competition will prove to be too strong this time around.