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'I'm not back. I'm better.' | Dallas native Sha'Carri Richardson Olympics finals fingernails explained

Not even the rain stopped Richardson as she cruised through the finish line after looking back at her competition on the track. She's tough as nails!

PARIS, France — The Dallas native's elaborate manicure is a part of her signature look. And for Sha'Carri Richardson the message is in the details.

She was wearing "I'm not back. I'm better" press-on nails after winning gold for Team USA in the women's 4x100-meter relay at the Paris Olympics.

Not even the rain stopped Richardson as she cruised through the finish line after looking back at her competition on the track. She's tough as nails!

After wearing long coffin-shaped red, white, and blue nails at the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony —with the American flag–inspired designs, french tips, and jewels—Richardson changed it up once it came time to compete.

On the final race day, Richardson opted for a long stiletto shape for all fingers - each decked out in red, white, and blue. On her left thumb it says "I'm Not Back" and on the right is "I'm Better."

Each nail resembles its own mesmerizing mosaic, adorned with a variety of vibrant colors and designs, including multicolored gemstones, iconic multi-colored Olympic rings, gold accents, and intricate patterns.

The nail tech behind the look is Angie Aguirre, better known as @shespolished on Instagram. 

"Words cannot describe the emotion that I feel for @itsshacarri and for me!!! We won!!" Aguirre said in an Instagram post.

According to her profile, Aguirre is based in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Richardson's personal family experiences came to the forefront in 2021, when she failed a marijuana test that forced her to miss the Olympics in Tokyo. Richardson later explained that she used marijuana in the wake of learning that her biological mother had passed away.

Richardson never shied away from admitting that her actions were wrong — even issuing a public apology to take accountability — and instead went back to work on her craft.

In 2023, at the Track and Field World Championships, Richardson ran the 100-meter race with a blazing 10.65-second first-place finish. It was the fastest on record in the history of the race at the event. Afterward, she confidently said, "I'm not back. I'm better."

In an interview with Vogue Magazine, Richardson recently revealed the deeper meaning of her phrase.

“I don’t just mean I’m a better runner,” Richardson told Vogue. “It’s beyond that. I’m better at being Sha’Carri. I’m better at being myself.”

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