2004 Olympic gold medalist and American record holder in the 400 meter dash, Sanya Richards is the youngest American to break the elusive 49 second barrier at 400 meters. In addition to her 4x400 Gold medal win in Athens, Richards earned silver in the 400 meter at the 2005 World Championship in Athletics. In 2006, she won her sixth out of six Golden League events in the 100 meters making her one of the top money earners in her sport. The same year, she broke Valerie Brisco-Hooks’ US record with a 48.70 and was named IAAF’s 2006 Female World Athlete of the Year. Despite being diagnosed with a rare and serious auto-immune disease in 2007, she was named IAAF Golden League Champion for a second year running and finished the season on a high note joining the ranks of the “sub-11 club” with a personal best in the 100 meter in Shanghai.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Richards moved with her family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the age of 12. By high school, she was earning serious titles such as the national indoor high school record holder in the 200 and 400 meters. She also claimed the U.S. High School Junior Record in the 400 meter at the 2002 Junior National Championships and was named National High School Female Athlete of the Year. In addition to excelling in the track lanes, Richards lettered in basketball and was a National Honor Society member, graduating with a perfect 4.0.
