Sha'Carri Embraces USA Basketball

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👋 Hey Team USA Fans!

And it’s a wrap! The 2024 Paris Olympics have finally come to an end. In today’s EssentiallySports Daily newsletter, we will cover how everything ended on a good note, even the USA basketball and track and field relationship. How? Sha’Carri Richardson enjoyed the basketball finals, congratulated the team, and took a romantic walk with the rumored boyfriend.

On the other hand, after leaving the purple tracks abruptly due to COVID-19, Noah Lyles had an exclusive chat with EssentiallySports. The 27-year-old phenom revealed just how different he is from others, and retirement might not be in his plans for now. Coming to the hurdles' arena, there is Grant Holloway, who has garnered gold on the purple tracks. But off the tracks, he has been preparing for a larger-than-life event, which would surely help many budding talents. There is much to unpack, so let’s get started! 

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🙌 HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

Sha'Carri Embraces USA Basketball

It is very well known that the USA basketball community and Noah Lyles have not been the best of pals since last year. We all know about Noah Lyles’ remark on NBA teams calling themselves world champions despite competing in a national league. But now, it seems like the strained relationship between the USA basketball and the track and field was patched by Sha’Carri Richardson. The 2-time Olympic medalist was one of the many celebrities witnessing Team USA take over the arena and win the fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics against France. The sprinter was in the company of former Basketball Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Fallon.

Right after the match ended with a score of 98-78, Richardson didn't shy away from congratulating Stephen Curry for his remarkable performance to keep Team USA afloat. She also met with NBA greats Scottie Pippen and Dwyane Wade after the conclusion of the dramatic game. Notably, the 24-year-old favored Lyles when he questioned the “world champions” status of the NBA teams, saying, “I’m standing with Noah on this one.” Regardless, Team USA and Richardson didn’t seem to have any bad blood as they reveled in a successful end to the night and brought together the two communities after a long rift.

Dive Deeper: Steph Curry Ended Noah Lyles Debate, but Sha’Carri Richardson Embracing USA Basketball’s Win Breaks the Internet

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

🌟 ES EXCLUSIVE

Noah Lyles Talks About This Retirement

There have been rumors about Noah Lyles' retirement after the Paris Games and for all the right reasons. Right after becoming the world's fastest man, Lyles posed a hint saying, “LA isn’t promised, so take it now.” So does that mean he will not be there at the 2028 LA Olympics? Well, the answer is far from it. Speaking to EssentiallySports correspondent, Lyles revealed his plans for retirement and shed light on the love-hate relationship with Jamaica.

About the former, Lyles expressed that unlike many legends in the sport, Usain Bolt to name one, he wouldn’t be retiring in his late 20s or early 30s. He distinguished himself as a different force altogether and said, “I’m not like the rest!... I’m definitely competing in LA 28.” The 27-year-old promised to compete even in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. By that time, he would be 35 and probably the oldest in the field. 

Lyles told EssentiallySports, “I think I’m very blessed to have found a great health plan very early in my career. So I believe that the longevity that I have in this sport is going to be longer than others.” He has only begun the Olympic medal chase and will not be stopping anytime soon!

Dive Deeper: Noah Lyles Breaks Silence on Retirement Rumors After Massive COVID-19 Scare at Paris Olympics: “Found a Healthy Plan”

😎 HERO OF THE DAY

Grant Holloway’s Philanthropic Effort

A star on the purple tracks and a beacon of hope, Grant Holloway has proven that he has more to himself than his track and field glory. The 200m hurdles gold medalist found success on the tracks and is on a mission to give back to his community in whatever way he can. Thus, he started his Grant Holloway Athletics Foundation after the 2021 Toyo Olympics. That year, the hurdler had raised $5,000 for the charity but since then, his efforts have quadrupled in amount!

In a candid chat with EssentiallySports, Holloway revealed all about his foundation and its upcoming event. He explained, “Right after the Olympics is done, I’m actually doing a charity event, a golf charity event in October. We’re going to try to raise as much money as we can to, you know, feed people for Thanksgiving, as well as give some Christmas gifts out to some less fortunate families.” And as said, this is not the first time Holloway has shown his philanthropic side.

In October 2023, the Gator alum inaugurated the GH Athletic Foundation Golf Tournament at the Ironwood GC, helping former Gator athletes and their families with Thanksgiving meals. All his efforts were proven to be fruitful, as Holloway revealed that he raised funds of around $32,000. This year, as he has clinched glory on the tracks, his charity may raise even more than 2023 and help the community as he has always hoped. 

Dive Deeper: Grant Holloway Becomes a Guardian of the Needy After $32,000 Project Apart From Track and Field Glory

Sha'Carri Richardson Spotted With Rumored BF

It seems like Sha’Carri Richardson was not alone while watching Team USA’s basketball final at the Paris stadium! As the Olympics came to an end, the 24-year-old was spotted leaving the stadium with her rumored beau. You guessed it right (if you did). It was Christian Coleman. The two were taking a stroll in the streets of Paris when the sight of them caused a frenzy among fans. It once again started a series of rumors that have surrounded Coleman and Richardson ever since the 2023 World Championship in Budapest. And now Richardson and Coleman’s heart-warming outing has only added fuel to the fire. 

Richardson has been open about being in a relationship on her social media before. On National Girlfriend Day, the sprinter posted a teddy bear with a gold medal and a card on Instagram, which read, “Love of my life.” However, she has kept the identity of her partner hidden and has never confirmed the speculations of her relationship with Coleman.

Dive Deeper: Sha’Carri Richardson Caught With Rumored Boyfriend At USA Basketball Game After His Special Gift

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

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2. "Very Selfish": Grant Holloway Lays Out Reason Behind Leaving NFL For Track and Field Glory (ES Exclusive) - Full Story

3. "Moment of Panic": Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas' Mishap During Paris Olympics Relays Addressed by Teammate - Full Story

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