Sha’Carri Richardson, the electrifying sprint sensation, kicked off her 2025 season at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo on May 18. But her fourth-place finish in the 100m, clocking 11.47 seconds, was a rare off-day for the usually blazing-fast runner. Facing a tough headwind and fierce competition, she trailed behind Australia’s Bree Rizzo, who won in 11.38. This was far from her incredible personal best of 10.65s. Since then, the Olympic silver medalist and 4x100m relay gold winner from Paris 2024 hasn’t raced.  Her absence from the Grand Slam Track (GST) series—big events in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia—has left fans wondering: What is Sha’Carri planning? Well, the champion has spoken.

While the GST series, with its impressive $100,000 prizes for slam winners, is a major showcase for top talent, Sha’Carri’s focus seems to be elsewhere. She’s been spotted intensely training in Philadelphia with her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, at Star Athletics Club under the guidance of coach Dennis Mitchell. Grinding alongside teammates like Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Twanisha Terry, her carefully chosen schedule points to a strategic build-up for marquee events later in the season, like the Prefontaine Classic on July 5 and the World Athletics Championships back in Tokyo. Her absence isn’t a retreat; it’s a calculated move to peak at precisely the right moment. What’s truly shaping her unique approach this year?

NBC Olympics and Paralympics brought the answer through their Instagram post from June 3. Sha’Carri had attended the GST in Philadelphia, not as a competitor, but as the audience. In her chat with the media house, she shared her vision: “Watching my co-trainers as well as fellow athletes competing, continues to show that track and field deserves the audience that it needs, and the audiences here cannot wait. And also cannot wait for Athlos to show up as well.” Her words are filled with passion for growing the sport and her significant role in it.

The women’s-only Athlos meet, set for October 2025 at Icahn Stadium, is her personal stage to inspire and significantly boost the track’s visibility. With a substantial $500,000 prize pool and a clear focus on empowering women athletes, Athlos perfectly aligns with her mission to expand the sport’s reach. She’s hinting at a return that could redefine her season, blending fierce competition with a powerful advocacy for track’s future. How will Sha’Carri Richardson balance competing and revolutionizing the sport in 2025?

Sha’Carri Richardson is looking ahead

Well, although Sha’Carri Richardson was snubbed in her season opener, this does not mean that this will continue to be the case. She will surely be bringing her electrifying energy to a whole new arena – and it’s not just about running fast anymore. Just last week, on May 29, 2025, the buzz dropped: Athlos, a groundbreaking women’s track and field league, announced that Sha’Carri, fresh off her Olympic gold and world championship win, is now a founding advisor-owner! She’s joining forces with other Paris 2024 heroes like Gabby Thomas and Tara Davis-Woodhall, all teaming up to shape the future of the sport they love.

This isn’t just a fancy title; it’s a powerful statement. After an incredible 2024, where she led the U.S. to relay gold and snagged a silver in the 100m, Sha’Carri is clearly showing us she’s committed to building something truly impactful. But why is this such a huge deal?

Think of it this way: Athlos, the brainchild of Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is shaking things up. It’s launching in 2026, right after the World Athletics season, with exciting meets planned for big cities and a grand championship finale. Sha’Carri herself put it perfectly to ESPN: “I take pride in doing what is right for people. Joining ATHLOS as an advisor-owner gives me the opportunity to create something that genuinely empowers people both on and off the track.”

Now, imagine Sha’Carri, with her signature fiery spirit and clear vision, injecting her passion into this revolutionary league. What kind of seismic impact will she have? We can only guess, but it’s bound to be nothing short of phenomenal for the sport and the women who grace it.