Sha’Carri Richardson avenged her 2024 Paris Olympics disappointment at the Diamond League track and field meet in Switzerland on Thursday.

A month after falling to her in the Summer Games, Richardson took down Saint Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred in the 100-meter final.

The American sprinter started out behind Alfred in what appeared to be a repeat of her letdown in Paris before mounting a comeback, passing her rival in the final stretches of the race.

“This is probably the funnest race I’ve had all season,” Richardson said. “I took that time after the Games to come back, regroup and be able to show you guys the Sha’Carri Richardson y’all know.”

Richardson clocked in at 10.84 seconds on the wet track in Zurich, just four-hundredths ahead of Alfred, who took second in the raceRichardson settled for the silver medal in the 100-meter on Aug. 3 after Alfred won in 10.72 ahead of the American’s 10.87.

 

The 24-year-old returned to the Olympics after a suspension for testing positive for marijuana stopped her from competing in Tokyo in 2021.

Richardson set the world record in the 100-meter during the U.S. Olympic trials, running it in 10.71 — a hair better than Alfred’s Olympic run.

Recounting Sha’Carri Richardson’s Gold-Winning Hairstyles..

Sha’Carri Richardson: Fastest woman in the world, and queen of the beauty switch up. Whether it’s a 40-inch bussdown or her natural curls coiled to perfection, the hairstyles Richardson sports are always ten out of ten.

In the aftermath of the 2021 Olympic trials, Richardson faced harsh, global scrutiny brought on by a misogynoir-fueled controversy and a one-month suspension. Today, for her Paris Olympics debut, she came back, in better spirits, and clad in a slicked-back pony, to win the women’s 100m opening round.

Richardson is known to blaze down the track in a variety of styles, making her stand out on the track for both talent and flair. For the average person, one may question whether the long tresses pose as an extra element against performance, but to a pro like Richardson, her hair is a staple to her signature style.

As if being the current fastest woman in the world wasn’t impressive enough, Richardson manages to compete at peak-performance with nary a hair out of place. From a plethora of braid styles with intricate patterns, and natural hairdos to ever-changing wig colors, you can count on the 24-year old track star to keep it exciting.

Notably, Richardson turned heads during the 2023 Track & Field Championships, by tossing her wig off right before winning the 100m dash. With this stunt, she sent a message that not only does she stay ready, but she presents confidently no matter what’s on her head.

Ahead of track and field’s debut, the first-time olympian has already graced our screens between Olympic events with her Olay campaign, which features the skincare brand’s newest ambassador rocking a scene-stealing wash n go.

Another standout beauty moment for Richardson includes her Nike and Jacquemus campaign. The athletic beauty rocked a Rapunzel-esque ‘do complete with artfully-crafted edges. Her floor-length braids were wittily fashioned as battling ropes, demonstrating the intersection between beauty and sport.

Below, in honor of Richardson hitting the 2024 Olympic track today, we’re recounting some of her head-turning hair looks.