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Richardson’s situation is just one of many examples where athletes (especially black women who are also heavily scrutinized) are held to a higher standard than the average person and crucified for anything that might seem to jeopardize their chance to win. From Serena Williams to Angel Reese, black female athletes have been constantly condemned for the way they choose to express themselves. Williams’ viral outburst in 2018 at the US Open shed light on the different public response to black athletes showing emotion compared to their white counterparts. In the same situation where Williams was considered “aggressive,” a white athlete showing his frustration would be considered “passionate” about the game. Internalizing these external pressures of perfectionism and feeling the need to put on a brave face has led many top athletes to walk away from their respective sports for their mental health. In 2021, Simone Biles temporarily retired from competitive gymnastics to prioritize her well-being. After pulling out of the women’s team final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she opened up about her mental health concerns that led to the decision behind her withdrawal. With her consistent track record of pulling off brilliant, award-winning routines, I can only imagine the intense emotion Biles felt needing to be absolutely flawless every time. She spoke briefly about her departure in one Post on Instagram. “It wasn’t an easy day or my best, but I got through it,” she wrote. “I really feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders sometimes.” In the same year, Naomi Osaka took a step back from tennis. After refusing to speak to the press during the French Open, he was subsequently fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion. After the interaction, Osaka took matters into her own hands and withdrew from the tournament. She later revealed her battle with depression and anxiety as reasons behind choosing to prioritize her mental health over sport. Biles and Osaka’s mental health break allowed them to discover radical self-care, which in turn, fueled their epic comeback on their own terms. Little did Richardson know that she would find herself in a similar situation where her selection would spark her long-awaited comeback and overshadow the naysayers.
