GLOBAL SPRINT STARS RICHARDSON & COLEMAN ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA AHEAD OF POWERCOR STAWELL GIFT

Date: 3rd April 2026

GLOBAL SPRINT STARS RICHARDSON & COLEMAN ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA AHEAD OF POWERCOR STAWELL GIFT

Two of the fastest athletes in the world, Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman, have arrived in Australia ahead of their highly anticipated debut at the Powercor Stawell Gift.

In a major moment for the iconic event, the American sprint stars will bring international star power to regional Victoria, taking on a uniquely Australian format unlike anything they’ve experienced before.

Richardson, a world champion over 100m and one of the fastest women in history, and Coleman, a world champion and Olympic gold medallist, are both preparing to compete over 120 metres on grass in a handicapped field – lining up as backmarkers on scratch as they chase down Australia’s best professional runners.

Only two men and two women have been able to win the Powercor Stawell Gift and the Powercor Womens Gift off the scratch mark in the event’s 147 year history. 

Both athletes admitted they did not know a lot about the Stawell Gift before the opportunity to travel to Victoria arose and have been doing their research ahead of the Easter weekend. 

Speaking ahead of her first race on Australian soil, Sha’Carri Richardson said: “I feel amazing to be here. I think being here in Australia is something different. It’s beautiful. It’s sunny, and I get to start my season off doing something I have never done before, I think that’s just going to be a marker for how my season is going to go for me. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but I love a challenge.   

“I’m feeling good. I believe I can win this weekend, and I will do everything in my power to win this weekend. I’m not going to finish without leaving everything on the grass at Stawell,” said Sha’Carri.

Coleman echoed the excitement, embracing the challenge of the Stawell format, which will see him give his rivals a head start in pursuit of victory.

“I think I have the talent and the ability, and like Sha’Carri said, I will not leave the vicinity without giving everything that I have. I am a competitor, that’s just what it is… when everyone has the same circumstances, I like my odds,” said Coleman.

“I mean, first of all, like I said, I am so open and blessed to have the opportunity to come here, and so did some research, and I saw the video last year of Gout Gout running, that was incredible. So I just had to go back and do my history research of the Stawell Gift.

“Seeing Gout Gouts video and seeing the fact that he didn’t make it out of the semis. I spoke with (US sprinter) Devon Allen recently, and he told me he competed here a few years ago, and he was off scratch and he didn’t make the finals. So I know what I am up against, the daunting task, but I mean I feel good and like I said, I am a competitor, so I’m going to give it everything that I’ve got. Now I know how handicaps are set up, it all makes sense, and I like my chances when we get out there.” 

When asked about his thoughts on rising Australian sprint star Gout Gout, Christian said: “He is a great talent and I’m excited to see how his career flourishes, and where he can take the sport. I will say that I hate the fact that a lot of the time they compare him to Bolt and he will be the next one or whatever.. I think he will just be Gout Gout and he will just be himself and I’m excited to see what he does.” 

The Powercor Stawell Gift is one of Australia’s most historic sporting events, with its handicap format and grass track presenting a distinct test for even the world’s fastest athletes.

Murray Emerson, Chair of Stawell Gift Event Management, said: “It’s going to be very exciting for all of us to welcome Sha’Carri and Christian to Stawell. They are going to have a fantastic time and we are in for a treat. They certainly have the ability to make history and become only the 3rd mens and womens winners off a zero handicap, something which is extremely difficult to achieve.”

Reigning Powercor Women’s Gift champion Bree Rizzo, who became just the second woman in history to win the Women’s Gift from scratch last year, said the appearance of the two global sprint stars would elevate what is already one of the most unique races in the world.

Rizzo said the American duo would need to adapt quickly to a vastly different racing environment. Despite the challenges, she believes both athletes are genuine winning chances.

“This will be a very different style of racing for Sha’Carri and Christian compared to what they’re used to,” she said. “While I believe they train a lot on grass during preseason, actually racing on it will be a new experience. The track itself is slightly uphill and separated by ropes, with a gated finish, which can feel quite strange to run through at first.

Richardson and Coleman’s appearance signals a new era for the event, as global sprinting talent takes on one of the sport’s most unique challenges.

Image gallery here: https://lukehemer.photoshelter.com/gallery/Previews/G0000LVjs21WfnJ8/C00007el_yN5tuL4

 

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