The Ultimate Showdown: Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas
Get ready for one of the most anticipated races in track and field history! After years of speculation and rivalry, Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas might finally face each other in the Ultimate Championship. Fans have been buzzing since World Athletics announced this groundbreaking event, set to debut in Budapest in 2026. With over 400 athletes competing across disciplines like the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and various relays, the championship promises to be a spectacle. Featuring a staggering prize pool of $10 million, winners in each event will take home $150,000. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Richardson and Thomas will finally settle their differences on the track.
The Roots of the Rivalry
The tension between Richardson and Thomas began in 2021. Richardson, an emerging 100m star, was disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana. She revealed that the substance was a way to cope with the loss of her mother, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While her fans rallied behind her, even suggesting a boycott of the Olympics, other athletes expressed frustration. Gabby Thomas, who was also vying for Olympic glory, urged fans to support all athletes, not just Richardson. She tweeted, “There are so many black athletes who have put in YEARS of hard work for this moment—myself included. We want your support.”
Richardson, in a now-deleted tweet, responded: “Athletes that haven’t and will never beat me have a lot to say about or surrounding my situation. Most of them have said nothing to me, showing their characters that y’all don’t see behind the races.” This marked the beginning of a rivalry that has fueled both athletes to prove themselves on the track.
Achievements Speak Louder
🚨NEW EVENT🚨
The mixed 4x100m relay will make its debut at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Who is your dream 4x100m fantasy team? 🫨#UltimateAthletics pic.twitter.com/FY7ieCSPvE
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) November 22, 2024
Despite the drama, both athletes have achieved remarkable feats. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gabby Thomas secured her first Olympic gold in the 200m with a time of 21.83 seconds. She also contributed to Team USA’s victories in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Off the track, Thomas has been celebrated for her academic achievements, holding a Master’s degree in Public Health.
Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson claimed silver in the 100m, finishing behind Julien Alfred, and helped Team USA clinch gold in the 4x100m relay. While she missed out on gold in the individual events, Richardson remains one of the fastest women in the world and a key figure in US track and field.
Fans Weigh In: Fantasy Teams and Dream Matchups
The buzz around the Ultimate Championship has led fans to imagine dream relay teams. Some fans have suggested legendary lineups featuring Usain Bolt, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Carl Lewis, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Others have crafted contemporary teams, such as combining Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Sha’Carri Richardson with Gabby Thomas. The possibility of these stars competing together—or against each other—has added even more excitement.
The rivalry isn’t limited to the women’s events. On the men’s side, Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles have had their own tensions. Kerley recently escalated their feud during an Instagram session, declaring that Lyles should keep his name out of discussions. “Noah can’t do that to me—no disrespect, but I’d slap the s**t out of him,” Kerley said. Despite this, both athletes have been dominant in their own right. Lyles won three golds at the 2023 World Championships and added a 100m Olympic gold in Paris, while Kerley claimed the 2022 World Championship 100m gold and an Olympic bronze.
Jamaica vs. USA: A Rivalry for the Ages
Adding to the excitement is the potential for a showdown between Jamaican and American sprinting teams. Fans have envisioned Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Oblique Seville, and Kishane Thompson facing off against a US lineup of Lyles, Richardson, Kerley, and Thomas. Jamaica’s sprinting talent is red-hot, with Thompson setting the fastest time of 2024 and Seville emerging as a rising star. If these teams ever go head-to-head, it would undoubtedly be a historic event.
Looking Ahead
As the Ultimate Championship approaches, all eyes are on Richardson and Thomas. Will they set aside their rivalry and compete as teammates, or will their competition fuel an unforgettable showdown? The stakes are high, and the anticipation is even higher. Fans are eager to see how this rivalry evolves and whether it will culminate in a race for the ages.
No matter the outcome, one thing is clear: the track is set for drama, history, and unforgettable performances.