Sports
Controversy stalks sparkling sprint talent Richardson | The Express Tribune
PARIS:
Sha’Carri Richardson’s talent is not in doubt as her stunning 100 metres world title in 2023 proved, but the American star is also like a moth to a flame when it comes to controversy.
The 25-year-old just cannot escape sparking headlines off the track.
Richardson was controversially barred from the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana following her victory at the US trials.
She arrives in Tokyo for the defence of the world crown on the back of another headline-making incident.
She spent a night in jail after being arrested for domestic violence when she had an altercation with her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman, at an airport before this year’s US trials in August.
She scratched from the 100m at the trials and failed to reach the final in the 200m, but her place in the team for Tokyo was assured as a defending champion, although her best 100m time this season of 11.05sec leaves her way outside the favourites.
Coleman, who will be in Japan too as a member of the men’s sprint relay team, refused to press charges and defended her.
“She has things that she needs to work on for herself of course. So do I, so do you, so does everybody,” he told AFP.
Richardson later apologised to Coleman and admitted she was seeking help.
“I’m taking this time to not only see myself but get myself a certain level of help that overall is going to reflect who I truly am in my heart and my spirit,” she said.
‘We crave authenticity’
Richardson could not cut a more contrasting figure to that of her compatriot, Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas, although both hail from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The clean-cut Thomas is a Harvard graduate, brought up by a single mother, who was then a teacher and is now a professor.
Richardson, who has cultivated a striking image with long multi-coloured nails and tattooed arms, was brought up by her grandmother Betty Harp and an aunt.
“My family has kept me grounded,” she has said.
However, while Thomas — who will sit out these championships due to injury — had a loving mother, Richardson yearned for that maternal love.
In her apology to Coleman she revealed “due to my past trauma and pain, I was blind and blocked off to not only receive it (unconditional love), but give it.”
In a video posting in 2023, she explained: “Not having that bond of my biological mother during the transition of me getting older… I think that’s what really got me.
“She was supposed to be my world and now that she wasn’t there I usually asked myself ‘Why I’m I here?’
“It really took me to a very dark place. When I was a junior in high school, I tried to commit suicide.”
Richardson has a tendancy of shooting from the hip and her hackles are easily raised.
Such was the case in a bitter break-up with her one-time Jamaican girlfriend, 100m hurdler Janeek Brown, with whom she became embroiled in a bitter claim and counter-claim of mental, physical and verbal abuse.
Brown said Richardson’s going public about the relationship had been “malicious and calculated.”
It was a far cry from happier times when Richardson delighted Brown by sporting LGBTQ+ colours after winning the 100m at the US trials in 2021.
Nevertheless Richardson has plenty of people who admire her for wearing her heart on her sleeve.
One of those is US track legend Michael Johnson.
“The thing with Sha’Carri is her purpose, talent and personality make her very interesting to watch,” he told The Times last year.
“She is out there and can be abrasive, but she can be very charming too.
“She is a reflection of where society is heading. We crave authenticity and we don’t want fake anymore.”
The network’s coverage, at times clumsy and other times savvy, reflected the dilemma faced by media companies that partner with leagues and betting operators.
Source link
TORONTO — Bo Bichette, who has not played since spraining his left knee in early September, was added to the Toronto Blue Jays‘ roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Blue Jays also included first baseman Ty France on their roster for the first time this postseason. Outfielder Joey Loperfido and right-handed reliever Yariel Rodriguez, who were on the American League Championship Series roster, were not included.
The question is how limited is Bichette.
A two-time All-Star shortstop, Bichette has not played in a game since injuring his knee in a collision with Yankees catcher Austin Wells on Sept. 6. He attempted to return in time for the AL Championship Series but could not run the bases without significant pain the day before the Blue Jays had to submit their roster.
Bichette worked out at second base and faced live pitching Wednesday and Thursday. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Bichette could play second base, shortstop or serve as the team’s designated hitter. If he is the DH, George Springer would likely move to right field.
A free agent this winter, Bichette had a rebound season after posting a .598 OPS in 81 games in an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. The homegrown star, 27, finished second in the majors with a .311 batting average and hit 18 home runs with 94 RBI and an .840 OPS.
Without him, the Blue Jays have played Andres Gimenez, their regular second baseman, at shortstop in the postseason with Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting most of the starts at second base.
Los Angeles added right-handers Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein while dropping lefty Alex Vesia and righty Ben Casparius. The Dodgers said Thursday that Vesia was not with the team in Toronto because of a family matter.
Former closer Tanner Scott was not added. The left-hander was dropped from the National League Division Series roster following surgery on Oct. 8 to remove of an abscess from an infection on his lower body.
Clayton Kershaw, who was left off the Dodgers’ wild-card series roster and did not pitch in the NL Championship Series, is on the World Series roster. Kershaw has said he plans to retire after this season.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood has been appointed as Consultant International Cricket and Players’ Affairs, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.
The announcement was reportedly first made by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at a recent luncheon for the Pakistan and South Africa teams, also attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The cricket board has now made the official announcement in a brief statement; however, it did not disclose Masood’s responsibilities in the new role.
The 36-year-old has featured in 44 Tests for Pakistan, captaining the national side in 14 of those games.
Under his leadership, Pakistan defeated England 2-1 last year, their first Test series win against England on home soil since 2005.
The Pakistan Test captain’s appointment came a month after the PCB suspended its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, over delays in handling a crucial communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
According to the sources, Wahla was removed from his post after he failed to promptly forward an official letter concerning the Asia Cup handshake controversy, which sparked heated debate across the cricketing world.
Sources said that the PCB leadership grew frustrated over the delayed response, ultimately leading to Wahla’s suspension.
The PCB had lodged a formal complaint with the ICC and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), seeking the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup 2025.
The complaint stemmed from the widely publicised incident during the Pakistan-India fixture in Dubai, where both captains skipped the traditional pre-match handshake — a move reportedly directed by Pycroft.
In its letter, the PCB argued that the referee’s decision undermined the spirit of cricket and contravened the MCC’s long-standing laws.
“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s traditions,” the letter read. It further alleged that Pycroft had “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee” and breached the ICC Code of Conduct.
The issue was resolved after the PCB confirmed that Andy Pycroft had apologised to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and the team manager.
ESPN is fueled by the NBA and sportsbooks. Then came a scandal.
Book excerpt: “The Running Ground” by Nicholas Thompson
Book excerpt: “Heart Life Music” by Kenny Chesney with Holly Gleason
-
Tech1 week agoWhy the F5 Hack Created an ‘Imminent Threat’ for Thousands of Networks
-
Tech5 days agoHow to Protect Yourself Against Getting Locked Out of Your Cloud Accounts
-
Sports7 days agoPCB confirms Tri-nation T20 series to go ahead despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal – SUCH TV
-
Sports1 week agoU.S. Soccer recommends extending NCAA season
-
Tech6 days agoI Tested Over 40 Heat Protectant Sprays to Find the Best of the Best
-
Tech7 days agoThe Best Part of Audien’s Atom X Hearing Aids Is the Helpful, High-Tech Case
-
Tech6 days agoThe DeltaForce 65 Brings Das Keyboard Into the Modern Keyboard Era—for Better or Worse
-
Tech1 week agoSpit On, Sworn At, and Undeterred: What It’s Like to Own a Cybertruck