'We feel the same fire'- Sha’Carri Richardson’s coach Dennis Mitchell opens up about living vicariously through his athletes

Richardson’s coach has opened up about the profound connection he shares with his athletes describing their relationship as a «father-daughter kind of thing.»

The candid confession, aired during the premiere episode of , highlighted the emotional rollercoaster behind the success stories of elite track stars.

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Reflecting on the journey leading up to the , Mitchell explained how coaching extends beyond the track, blending competitiveness, mentorship, and a unique camaraderie.

«We secretly live through our athletes,» Mitchell shared in a heartfelt moment.

«We feel the same tension and the fire and the competitiveness. We feel those same things. We just don’t get a chance to race.»

The episode focused on Mitchell’s three sprinters—Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry—who all earned their tickets to Paris in the highly anticipated U.S. Olympic Trials.

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While reliving those moments, Mitchell described the emotions as overwhelming and deeply personal.

«As soon as you make the Olympic team, you think about all your past trials and tribulations and what got you there. And, you know, all your feelings just come all out at one time. I love those emotions, and I want to share that moment with my athletes,» he revealed.

The Olympic stage magnified this bond, especially for Richardson, who achieved a stunning debut performance.

Securing two medals—a silver in the 100m and a gold in the 4x100m relay—she solidified her status as a global sprinting star.

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In the fiercely contested 100m final, Richardson clocked an impressive 10.87 seconds, finishing just behind St. Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred’s 10.72 seconds.

Her electrifying anchor leg in the 4x100m relay, where she ran a blazing 10.09 seconds, propelled the U.S. team to victory with a time of 41.78 seconds.

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His approach to coaching is deeply rooted in forming a support system, which he believes is critical for his athletes’ mental and emotional well-being.

«One thing that is a strength between me and my girls is our bond together. Through thick and thin, we have become like father-daughter kind of thing,» he said during the episode.

Mitchell’s words resonate with Richardson’s meteoric rise, which has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations.

After her suspension ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for a positive cannabis test, Richardson has emerged stronger, showcasing resilience and determination that reflects the coach-athlete partnership.

The 2024 Paris Olympics not only marked a redemption arc for Richardson but also a celebration of the tightly-knit team led by Mitchell.

The coach emphasized that these moments are the culmination of years of hard work, setbacks and comebacks, shared intimately with his athletes.

«You can’t separate the journey from the emotions,» Mitchell concluded.

«And I wouldn’t want to.»