Sanya Richards-Ross

Hobbies

Singing, dancing. (USOC Media Guide 2004)

Occupation

Athlete

Education

Engineering - University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

Family

Husband Aaron Ross

Language(s) spoken

English

Coach

Clyde Hart from 2004 (usatf.org, 2011)

Other sports

Husband Aaron Ross is a defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League [NFL]. (bigcatcountry.com, 19 Apr 2012)

Injuries

In March 2007 she was diagnosed with Behcets syndrome, a condition that causes disturbances in the immune system, resulting in ulcers and fatigue. Doctors say the condition could recur at any time. She takes medication to regulate it, and it's been in remission since January 2008. Doctors struggled to diagnose the condition initially because Behcet's is rarely seen in African-American women. By June 2007, Richards' lips were so swollen and overcome by ulcers that they would stick together, making it hard for her to breathe through her mouth and almost impossible to talk. Despite the discomfort, Richards refused to back off her training. So her coach, Baylor legend Clyde Hart, crushed a Gatorade cup for her to bite down on to keep her lips apart and keep her teeth from scraping the insides of her mouth. "She couldn't even talk, her mouth was so painful," Hart said. "She had to write things down to communicate with me. It was almost an impossible situation. But she was determined to train." (Dallas News, 21 Jul 2008)

Additional information

Start of sporting career
She began as a 7 year old, continually outstriding her competition at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. It was during this time that Richards consistently began running the 400 meter dash. (sanyarichardsross.com, 2012)

Superstitions / Rituals
She wears a lucky bullet-shaped pendant. (IAAF, 19 Aug 2004)

Sporting philosophy / motto
"When people believe they can run faster, times just get faster and faster." (sanyarichards.net, 19 Aug 2009)

Awards
After being World number one for five straight seasons without ever winning a major championship, she finally broke her drought by winning the 400m gold at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin. (berlin.iaaf.org, 18 Aug 2009)

She was the IAAF's Athlete of the Year and Jesse Owens Award Winner in 2006 and 2009. (sanyarichardsross.com, 2012)

She won $US500,000 as her share of the 2007 IAAF Golden League Jackpot. (IAAF, 18 Dec 2007)

She was the 2004 Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year. (sanyarichardsross.com, 2012)

In 2002 she was named National High School Female Athlete of the Year, USA Track and Field's Youth Athlete of the Year and Track and Field News Women's Prep Athlete of the Year. (USATF Media Guide 2003)

General
THE DALLAS BOOGIE
After claiming the 400m gold at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, she broke out with an impromptu jig at the finish line. When asked about the celebration she replied: "It's called the Dallas Boogie. I do it all the time at home in front of my family," said Richards, who describes herself as a bit of a singer and dancer. "It's a Texas thing. I told my sisters if I won I was going to do it." (berlin.iaaf.org, 18 Aug 2009)

FROM JAMAICA TO THE UNITED STATES
She left Jamaica for the United States at age 12 and became a US citizen in May 2002. (IAAF Handbook 2003)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
She does volunteer work and community service in Austin, and is part of USATF's 'Be A Champion' youth outreach program. (USATF,, 14 Jul 2005)

Previous Olympics

Beijing 2008, Athens 2004