Sha’Carri Richardson is set to make her first appearance on the track since her controversial suspension from competition in June following a failed drug test left her out of the Tokyo Olympics. Now, ahead of the highly anticipated moment, the 21-year-old decided to show off a new look that has gotten fans even more eager for her comeback.
In a TikTok that has since made its way around social media, Richardson appeared alongside her hairstylist, who goes by username @TamedbyBri, donning a big afro and bare face while a Nicki Minaj voiceover played in the background. As the rapper says, “I took a couple … you know … I took some time off to rest and now it’s game time, b-tches,” the track and field star makes her big reveal.
“You have no idea,” she mouths, sporting a blue Nike track outfit — the Texas native is signed to the athletic brand — and rocking long wavy blond hair with ombre blue highlights toward the back of her hair. She completed her look with light glam makeup and her signature long, colorful nails. Along with Richardson’s video came the caption “August 21 and I’m not playing nice.”
The clip has since been shared on several blogs and sports sites. Fans were awe over the young star’s new look as they flooded her comment section with compliments and words of encouragement, including one user who wrote, “I love seeing her breaking records and slaying looks, all at the same time!”
Another fan commented, “First of all, the natural hair was already giving !!” “Wow,” they added.
“Saturday!!!!!!!! Going to be the best seconds of our life, watching you murder the track!!!!” wrote a third.
“And she better run like she has never ran before come August 21st We are all rooting for you sis!!!!” another fan said.
As previously reported, the Beats by Dre ad star is scheduled to return to the track on Saturday, Aug. 21, now that her month-long suspension is over, when she will go up against the Jamaican Olympic medalists who swept the 100 meters top three places in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Richardson will face Jamaica’s 100 meters Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah, silver medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and bronze winner Shericka Jackson at the upcoming women’s 100 meters race at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
“I’m looking forward to running fast and putting on a show,” Richardson previously said in a press release announcing her intent to compete. “Sha’Carri is focused on running a good race since she last competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials,” her rep told TMZ. “She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race.”
