Richards-Ross Looks for Gold in Third Straight Olympics

Like any other Olympian, Sanya Richards-Ross is no stranger to success. The difference between Richards-Ross and other Olympic athletes is she already owns two gold medals from two different Olympic games.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Richards-Ross came to the United States at age twelve. After becoming a citizen, she started competing for the U.S. and garnered instant success.

Sanya’s first Olympic gold medal came during the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. She was part of a 4×400 relay team that emerged on the top of the podium in Athens. Four years later, the story remained the same for Richards-Ross. Once again she was part of the 4×400 American relay team sprinting to a gold medal. She was the favorite in the 400 but ended up settling for a bronze medal.

In 2009 Richards-Ross was incredibly dominant in a non-Olympic year. She won the World Championships in both the 400 and 4×400, was named the Women’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year, and won the Jesse Owens Award.

Like so many outstanding careers, Richards-Ross has overcome her fair share of setbacks. Her 2010 season was basically a wash because of injury problems that kept her from competing.

Fast forward to 2012 and Richards-Ross seems to have worked her way back. She won the World Indoor Championships in the 400 earlier this year. It may be coincidence or maybe it’s fate, but with the Olympics right around the corner, Richards-Ross is looking for icing on the cake. She’s focused on the 400 to try to add another gold medal to an already crowded trophy case.