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Sharpe has revealed how similar Sha'Carri Richardson is to Flo-Jo, the fastest woman ever -recorded, and also weighed in on Team Jamaica's chances without Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson in the 100m of the Paris Olympic games.
Former American football star Shannon Sharpe has expressed high praise for sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, predicting that she will secure gold in the 100 meters at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sharpe's confidence in Richardson's abilities has only grown stronger following the withdrawal of Jamaican sprinting star Shericka Jackson.
Sharpe, who enjoyed a stellar career as an NFL tight end, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in his position.
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19:11 - 01.06.2024
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Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, Sharpe ranks third in tight end receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and was the first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards.
Despite his football background, Sharpe has ventured into the world of track and field commentary, often drawing comparisons and offering insights on sprinters.
Speaking on the Night Cap podcast, Sharpe compared Richardson to the late Florence Griffith Joyner, or "Flo Jo," who remains the fastest woman ever recorded. Flo Jo set world records in the 100m and 200m in 1988 and became an iconic figure due to her athletic prowess and distinctive personal style.
"Sha'Carri is the overwhelming favorite. They still have Marie-Josée Ta Lou, Dina Asher-Smith, and Julian Alfred—some strong competitors—but if Sha'Carri is at her best, nobody can beat her. She can run sub-10.6. She is like Flo Jo," Sharpe said, emphasizing Richardson's potential.
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10:41 - 03.08.2024
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Sharpe believes that Shericka Jackson’s injury gives Richardson a significant advantage, even as he acknowledged the greatness of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is nearing retirement. However, Sharpe does not think Fraser-Pryce will be able to stop Richardson from claiming the top spot.
"She [Fraser-Pryce] has been dealing with some injuries, and she is almost 40. She is still dangerous, but Jackson’s injury is a severe blow to the Jamaican team. They swept the 100m at the last Olympics, and this will impact their relay team as well," Sharpe noted.
While some critics have pointed out Richardson's tendency to struggle with her starts, Sharpe was quick to dismiss this concern. He drew a comparison to Usain Bolt, who was known for his less-than-ideal starts but still dominated sprinting.
"God can’t give you everything. He didn’t give Usain Bolt a Christian Coleman start, or he’d have run 9.4! Richardson might not have the perfect start, but she has the potential to run 10.40," Sharpe argued.
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16:47 - 30.07.2024
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Sharpe also touched on the long-standing rivalry between Jamaica and the USA in sprinting. He acknowledged Jamaica's recent dominance in the sprinting world, particularly over the past 14 years.
"The 100m has a range. Jamaica has surpassed us in sprinting. For the longest time, it was between us and Jamaica. You see they dominated us in the 100m and 200m. They’ve had legends like Marlene Ottey, Shelly-Ann, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and now Shericka. On the men's side, they had Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, and now Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville," Sharpe observed.
"Going back, we have not won gold in the 100m since 2004," Sharpe added, highlighting the challenge the USA faces in reclaiming sprinting supremacy. However, with athletes like Richardson, he seems hopeful that the tide may soon turn in favor of the USA.
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