Four Time Olympic Medalist Sanya Richards-Ross Retires At Olympic Trials

Sanya Richards-Ross finished her career July 1st to a bittersweet standing ovation at the University of Oregon’s historic Hayward Field. She announced her retirement after the race.

In an attempt to qualify at the U.S. Olympic trials for her fourth Games, Richards-Ross was unable to complete her 400-meter preliminary heat. “I literally felt my hamstring grab on me,” the athlete told ESPN.

The University of Texas Alum had suffered a grade-two hamstring strain a couple weeks prior at an Atlanta meet, which she was told would take four to six weeks to recover. Her slow turn around the bend of the track became a thank you and farewell as the crowd cheered the 31-year old champion athlete with a standing ovation.

“I’ll always remember how the crowd reacted,” she told reporters. “Someone asked before the race how would I love to go out, and I said I would just enjoy the moment. To be able to run a half a victory lap here at Hayward Field for my final 400 that I didn’t finish, I thought was pretty special.”

Richard-Ross finishes her career with three Olympic gold metals and one bronze. We wish her a speedy recovery and the best of luck in her future endeavors.

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.