)
Richards-Ross may be a legend in the quater mile, but she might never have become one had she stayed and developed in her native Jamaica.
American 400m icon Sanya Richards-Ross has opened up about the career path she likely would have taken had she remained in her native Jamaica—hinting that sprint hurdles, not the quarter-mile, might have been her destiny.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Richards-Ross began her athletics journey at just seven years old, representing Vaz Preparatory School in local youth meets.
But everything changed at age 12, when her family relocated to Florida in pursuit of a brighter future. That decision not only altered her environment but also her event—and ultimately her allegiance.
)
13:45 - 22.04.2025
Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Snubbed as South African Tactician Gets Nod for Orlando Pirates Job
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been in the news lately, being linked to the Orlando Pirates job as a potential Jose Riveiro successor.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News
Now 40, the Olympic gold medalist spoke candidly on the Meet The Mitchells podcast, shedding light on how the U.S. became her chosen nation and how her trajectory might have differed had she stayed home.
“I think the funny thing is, I probably would have been a hurdler,” she revealed. “When I went to Immaculate, the head coach there was really good with hurdles. A lot of times, when a coach has a specialty, they put the best athlete into that. So he wanted to put me in hurdles.”
She added, “Short or long? Short at first—because I didn’t start running the 400 until my senior year in high school.”
)
)
16:08 - 23.04.2025
'I Would Rob a Bank for Jose' - Benni McCarthy on How Mourinho Helped Him Heal from a Painful Past
Benni McCarthy has revealed how Jose Mourinho restored his love for football and helped him heal from past struggles, earning his lifelong loyalty.
Richards-Ross' decision to represent the United States has long sparked debate within track and field circles, especially given Jamaica’s global sprinting prestige.
But for her, the decision boiled down to proximity and personal relationships. She simply wanted to compete alongside the teammates she trained with daily in the U.S.
“You just never know how things might have turned out,” she reflected. “If I had stayed on the island, how would I have developed? If I had gone to the States and run for Jamaica, what would that have looked like? I don’t know.”
One key figure in her eventual success was legendary Baylor coach Clyde Hart. But Richards-Ross admitted that had she chosen Jamaica, that partnership likely never would have happened.
)
19:30 - 22.04.2025
Hellen Obiri Breaks Silence Following Boston Marathon Heartbreak
Hellen Obiri fell short of a historic third Boston Marathon win but proved her dominance with a resilient podium finish.
“I do know that Coach Hart probably wouldn’t have coached me in the 400, because at the time, he was very patriotic and didn’t really coach anyone who wasn’t American,” she said. “So I probably wouldn’t have been with Coach Hart if I had chosen to run for Jamaica. There were a lot of elements to consider.”
Still, she has no regrets about the path she chose—one that led to Olympic glory in London 2012 and multiple World Championship medals.
“I’m just so grateful that it worked out for me. I dreamt of being an Olympic gold medalist my whole life—and I got it. So I made the right choices,” she said.
“I think world records are amazing—they’re just a notch below. But an Olympic gold medal? You never lose that.”
From a young hurdling hopeful in Kingston to an American track legend, Richards-Ross’ story is a testament to the power of bold decisions and the roads not taken.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)