'I Am Grateful...' — Sha'Carri Richardson Honors Late Mom with Emotional Tribute and Support from Boyfriend

'I Am Grateful...' — Sha'Carri Richardson Honors Late Mom with Emotional Tribute and Support from Boyfriend

Festus Chuma 21:00 - 06.06.2025

Sha’Carri Richardson honors her late mother, overcomes past struggles, and thrives in athletics and advocacy with Nike and Christian Coleman.

Sha’Carri Richardson has paid tribute to her late biological mother, Shayaria, in a deeply emotional gesture marking the fourth anniversary of her passing.

The world champion sprinter honored her mother’s memory on Thursday, June 5, releasing white balloons into the sky and sharing a heartfelt message that left fans and fellow athletes touched by her vulnerability and strength.

Richardson’s mother died just a week before the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene.

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Sha'Carri Richardson has to overcome a woeful season opener. (Credit: Imago)

The young athlete was informed of the devastating news by a reporter — a moment that could have shattered her spirit.

Instead, Richardson dug deep, showed immense composure, and went on to win the 100-meter race at the Trials with a timing of 10.86 seconds, securing her first Olympic qualification.

“4 years since my mother transitioned from this physical world, I am grateful for a mother that made decisions for me to be the young lady I am today 🕊️,” Richardson wrote in a moving tribute on social media, attaching a photo of her balloon release.

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The touching post quickly drew support and love from fans and fellow athletes. Among the first to show unwavering support was her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Christian Coleman, who commented under her post with a string of heartfelt emojis: “🤍🤍🤍🙏🏾”.

A Journey Marked by Loss, Love and Redemption

Image source: Fan Arch

Richardson's road to success has not been without hardship. The pain of losing her mother so suddenly led to a highly publicized setback when she turned to a prohibited substance to cope with her grief.

The result was a suspension that cost her a place at the Tokyo Olympics — a dream she had fought so hard to achieve.

Despite that low point, Richardson made a stunning comeback. In 2024, she not only qualified for the Paris Olympics but went on to claim a silver medal in the 100m race and a gold in the 4x100m relay — a triumphant moment that seemed to honor her mother’s spirit and her own unwavering dedication.

In December, she and Coleman made their first public appearance as a couple at the 2024 USATF Night of Legends.

Their shared journey as elite athletes has become a quiet testament to resilience, growth, and mutual support, particularly in the aftermath of personal trials.

Empowering Women and Redefining Sport with Nike

Sha’Carri Richardson and her grandmother

Beyond the track, Richardson continues to make an impact. After a standout performance at the World Championships, she signed a major deal with Nike in 2019, reportedly worth $20 million and set to continue through 2028.

Recently, she shared her pride in being a core member of Nike’s Athlete Think Tank — a space dedicated to creating meaningful change in the world of sport.

"As part of @nike Athlete Think Tank, I get to connect with brilliant people who are committed to empowering women and moving the sport forward. We share, create community, and ignite change. Thank you, Nike, for listening to the voice of the athlete!" Richardson said as per SportsKeeda.

She added, "Being part of the Athlete Think Tank means having a seat at the table where change happens. As a woman in sports, I know how important it is to be seen, heard, and understood. Think Tank gives us the space to speak boldly about what needs to evolve and know Nike is listening."

Sha’Carri Richardson’s story is one of heartbreak and healing, struggle and triumph. Through it all, her mother’s memory remains the guiding light behind every stride she takes — on and off the track.