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Blavity News is a community and platform for Black Voices, Stories, Creators and thought.
© Blavity, Inc., 2022

Sha'Carri Richardson Congratulates Jamaican Runners Who Swept Olympic 100-Meter Race

The positive sentiment somehow turned into a debate on Twitter.

August 01, 2021 at 9:09 pm

Sha'Carri Richardson may have been banned from competing in the Olympics after testing positive for cannabis, but that's not stopping her from congratulating the athletes that would have been her opponents. On Saturday, she took 89to Twitter to applaud Jamaica's sweep of the women's 100-meter race.

"Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep," said Richardson, who was expected to contend at the Olympics. "Powerful, strong Black women dominating the sport."

Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep. Powerful, strong black women dominating the sport. ✨

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 31, 2021

While Richardson expressed her best wishes for the Jamaicans, there were some social media users who responded with unwarranted insults. But the sprinter also has plenty of supporters.

Wonderful tweet from a beautiful young lady! Some of y’all on her need some serious help! Sha’Carri tweeted something positive & here y’all come with the bull! If you don’t like her, scroll & move on!

— Tamra (@mai2tys) July 31, 2021

Some said the critics might be about afraid of Richardson's bright future.

They 30 and on they way out , you 21 and already ran 10.7 low slowing down… they know wassup that’s why they mad

— Kboogie on the beat (@keanon32) August 1, 2021

The animosity between fans continued throughout the comment section. But some even keel social media users urged people to celebrate all the athletes.

Just calm the fuck down!
Healthy rivalry is good for the sport.
Let's enjoy it without being stupid

— OKoech (@OkoechL) August 1, 2021

Twitter is of course known for turning any topic into a debate. But some were still shocked to see that Richardson's tweet turned into controversy.

Why the hell is everybody so mad in this comment section? pic.twitter.com/UHppLSvDJw

— The Ghetto???? (@HurricaneLexus) August 1, 2021

Elaine Thompson-Herah led the sweep for Jamaica with a record-breaking performance while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won silver, NBC reported. Shericka Jackson took bronze for her country.

Richardson was on her way to the Olympics after winning the 100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic trials in June. But the positive drug test derailed her plans. The 21-year-old said she had been using marijuana in recent months while coping with the death of her mother, as Blavity previously reported.

“This is just one game. I’m 21. I’m very young," the rising star told Today. "Unlike most, I have plenty of games left in me to compete in, and I have plenty of talent that backs me up, because everything I do comes from me naturally: No steroids…After my sanctions is up, I’ll be back and ready to compete.”