American sprint sensation Sha'Carri Richardson alleges being 'kick out' of Kip Keino Classic

ATHLETICS American sprint sensation Sha'Carri Richardson alleges being 'kick out' of Kip Keino Classic

Joel Omotto • 20:00 - 09.05.2023

The 23-year-old has lamented about being ‘kicked out’ of the event at Kip Keino Classic after missing out in Botswana two weeks ago

American sprint sensation Sha'Carri Richardson has claimed that she has been ‘kicked out’ of the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic set to take place at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

The sixth fastest woman in the world arrived in Nairobi on Monday and just days to the event, she vented her frustration on social media, saying she was hopeful of featuring in both the 100m and 200m but will now have to settle for the latter, after being ‘kicked out’.

Richardson won the 100m at the season-opening Doha Diamond League in Qatar last Friday, clocking 10.76 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year, and there were hopes that a battle between her and double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica would ensue in Nairobi.

“I will be running 200m not 100m,” Richardson said on her Instagram story. “I don’t know where all these rumours are coming from. I was kicked out of my 100m, besides Doha.”

Her claim raises questions about whether there are forces who are not happy with her running in the 100m, and their motive, or there could be more about the runner that has not been brought to the fore.

Richardson did not also run the 100m at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix where she had to settle for second place in the women’s 200m after losing to compatriot Kayla White.

“Best race of the season in Botswana, after being kicked out of the 100m,” she said after her race at the Gaborone National Stadium.

The 23-year-old has been a household name since her victory in the 100m race at the 2019 Louisiana State Championships. However, since then, her career has seen a bumpy ride in the wake of some controversies.

She missed the 2020 Olympics after being suspended by the US Anti-Doping Agency for using cannabis after she had emerged victorious at the trials.

Despite solid early-season performances, Richardson missed out on the finals of the 100m and 200m at the 2022 USATF Championships, and as a result, did not compete at the home 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.