Sha’Carri Richardson blasts US Track and Field for ‘exploiting’ American runners

American sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson has slammed the US Track and Field for ‘exploiting’ the country’s runners instead of helping them.

Richardson has emerged as America’s next 100m and 200m queen but has never shied away from speaking her mind, especially on various issues that affect athletes.

The 23-year-old effortlessly qualified for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary after winning her races at the US trials last week and just days later, she had a go at the country’s athletics governing body.

“Track & Field is not like other sports, especially in America. The NBA and NFL have organizations to help their athletes, not exploit them. Y’all have no idea how many track athletes that don’t even have a base salary, there are some athletes that literally sign contracts for clothes,” Richardson ranted on Twitter.

The runner’s words echo recent sentiments made by American sprint legend Michael Johnson who recently called out the US Track and Field as well as World Athletics for paying athletes ‘very low amounts’ in various competitions.

Richardson is no stranger to controversy or taking on the powers that be. In May, she ranted on Instagram about how unseen forces had conspired to lock her out of the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. She later featured in the 200m at Kasarani Stadium and won in emphatic style.

The world fell in love with Richardson’s confidence and talent in 2020 when she earned top spot in Team USA’s track and field team after winning the 100m race at the US Olympic track and field trials in 2021.

That opened the doors to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Everything was working out great until her marijuana drug test came back positive.

Richardson was removed from the Olympics after being found guilty of consuming marijuana. She explained that it was to cope with her biological mom’s death, but she was suspended for a month.

Now, the athlete is back with renewed energy ahead of her debut World Championship next month.