Starstruck: Sha'Carri Richardson spotted at Jamaica Invitational as dozens of fans gather around the world's fastest woman
World's fastest woman Sha'carri Richardson was spotted at her rival's home turf at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, as dozens of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the American track star.
Despite not racing on the day, Richardson was present at the Kingston stadium to support her fellow US athletes competing, and some have suggested she may be solely there for her 'rumoured boyfriend' Christian Coleman.
World Champion Sha'Carri Richardson participated in the Jamaica Athletics Invitational from the stands on Saturday. The American sprint star was embraced by dozens of fans in the bleachers section of the National Stadium in St Andrew.
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) May 12, 2024
📸: @taylor2nd #GLNRSports pic.twitter.com/4LvGjraELl
The former world 100m champion who twice defeated Usain Bolt before the track legend's retirement, raced in the men's 200m event and finished fifth in 20.46s.
Great Britain's speedster Zharnel Hughes won the race in an impressive 19.96s (his fourth-fastest career time) ahead of Fred Kerley in 20.17s, while Frenchman Pablo Mateo was third in 20.20s and Canadian Brendon Rodney fourth in 20.42s.
Zharnel Hughes 🇬🇧 smokes men's 200m field at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, winning in 19.96s (1.1)!
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) May 12, 2024
Fred Kerley 🇺🇸 was 2nd in 20.17s.pic.twitter.com/FA10ahUDRl
During and after the meet, dozens of Jamaican fans were captured gathering around Richardson - now unarguably the most famous face of track and field.
Also, it isn't the first time the world-renowned speedster will be present at a meet to show support without racing, as she has twice done it earlier this season at the Millrose Games and Miramar Invitational - on both occasions Coleman was a competitor.
With two consecutive defeats in her first races of the season, Richardson will be gunning to bounce back to winning ways at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League next weekend, where she's scheduled to face Africa's fastest woman Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith, and world 60m champion Julien Alfred.