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Richardson has underwhelmed in her opening two 200m races in China, but Gatlin has explained why her fans should not be worried moving forward.
Former American sprinter Justin Gatlin has explained why he is not too worried about Sha’ Carri Richardson’s worrying start to the season after two disappointing 200m races in China.
Great Britain’s Daryll Neita took the top prize at the Suzhou Diamond League meeting after clocking a season-best time of 22.62 to cross the finish line as Richardson faded to finish in third place, clocking 23.11 to cross the finish line.
The time she clocked was slower than her 22.99 last week where she finished second at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen.
Richardson went into the race as a pre-race favorite and was hoping to bounce back from her loss in Xiamen old but things did not work out as she had planned.
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07:21 - 03.05.2024
Sha'Carri Richardson, Ta Lou-Smith, and Julien Alfred set for epic 100m showdown at Prefontaine Classic
Three of the fastest women in history Sha'Carri Richardson, Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, and Julien Alfred will face off at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League on May 25th.
Another American, Anavia Battle finished second in the hotly contested race. Following her previous loss to Torrie Lewis, the 24-year-old admitted that she was a bit nervous after starting her season a bit late. She explained that, however, she observed what did not work out for her and would bounce back stronger.
However, her performance in Suzhou will raise more eyebrows since the World 200m bronze medallist also failed to impress. She will now be forced to go back to the drawing board and analyse what happened.
However, Gatlin, who won three diamond league titles, an Olympic Gold and four world titles during his career, has revealed why he is not worried about her bad start to the outdoor season, explaining how Richardson’s coach Dennis Mitchel works.
“I am not too concerned right now because they are 200s but we know her premier race is the 100m,” Gatlin said on his Ready-Set-Go podcast.
“Both of us were trained by her coach. He usually wants to open up your season with your event that caters that caters for your premier event.
“Early in the season, we would run 200s so we would run a nice 100 (later in the season) and go on from there. For her, it shows her energy and temperament. She is still having fun with it, she is stilll going out there and enjoying it, she still has the mean mag on, so she is having fun with it.”’
Gatlin speculates Richardson is having an eye on building up her stamina through the 200m which could help her claim the gold in the 100m race of the Paris Olympic games this August.
“It is probably a bigger plan and a bigger picture that is happening or unfolding.”
Gatlin has meanwhile, sent her American compatriot tips on how she will sail to victory in Paris.
" I think she realised from the last world championships that it is really all about that moment.
“You can have an amazing season or a trash season but it depends on how you operate once that gun goes off and cross over that line to determine the true success of your season cause that is what your goal is.”
As Richardson refocuses and analyzes her performances, Gatlin's perspective offers a reassuring reminder of the long-term vision behind her preparations. With her sights set on Olympic glory, Richardson remains determined to navigate the challenges and emerge stronger on the road to Paris.
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