Sha’Carri Richardson blew our minds this week at the US Track and Field Olympic Trials when she qualified for Team USA with the 10.86 second 100-meter dash and managed to look absolutely fabulous while doing it. 

The 21-year old athlete is currently the fastest woman in America, and has become instantly recognizable for her brightly colored hair, immaculate makeup and nails that call back to the iconic Florence Griffith Joyner, who Richardson has cited as a major inspiration. On Saturday (June 19), during the trials in Eugene, Oregon, she sported bright orange hair, a full face of makeup and acrylic nails.

Besides her legendary speed and amazing style, Richardson has been making headlines for joining the increasing number of professional athletes who are out as members of the LGBTQ community. 

After her victory, Richardson credited her girlfriend for picking her hair color for the day’s race.

“She said it just spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant,” Richardson told The Washington Post. “That’s who I am. She just wanted me to be able to make a statement — let’s continue to show the world I’m a force to be reckoned with.”

While Richardson has been understandably private about her girlfriend’s identity, she makes no secret about being gay. At the beginning of June, she posted a photo series to Instagram celebrating her many vibrant hairstyles “During this very PRIDEFUL month.”

Richardson’s TikTok account has only one video, a humorous lip-sync to Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak’s Leave the Door Open over the text “when my gf thinking she about to have a fun night without me.”

@1carriLol I think I’m starting to like TIK TOK 😂😂

♬ Leave The Door Open – Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic

Seeing an openly gay athlete be so unapologetic about her appearance and sexuality is certainly inspiring, and it’s a sign of progress that she can talk about her girlfriend so casually without fearing industry or public backlash. We can’t wait to see more of Richardson this summer and beyond! 

@euphoria.megNOTHING BUT ABSOLUTE RESPECT FOR THIS WOMAN. SHES A REAL LIFE TITAN. INSANE. #shacarririchardson

♬ original sound – Coco

The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo start July 23. Will you be tuning in? Let us know by leaving a reaction down below or by tweeting at us at @celebsecrets!

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  Eleanor Bishop (she/her) is a writer and editor with a passion for covering art and culture, profiling interesting people and learning about the entertainment industry. She is a recent graduate from Ohio University, where she studied journalism and history. When not writing, she's probably listening to Carly Rae Jepsen or The Mountain Goats.

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