American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson has the potential to be “the greatest female sprinter period.” That’s according to her compatriot and former training partner, 2004 Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin.

In an interview with I Am Athlete, Gatlin said he witnessed Richardson run 10.5s and 10.3s in practice and says she has what it takes to break Florence Griffith-Joyner’s long-standing 100m world record of 10.49.

“She’s just built different. Physically she has like the perfect form. If you have an eye for track and field, the way she strikes and hits the ground, you don’t have to coach it, she does it naturally, she picks up speed naturally. It’s amazing,” he said. “I been where she’s going and I know she’s gonna go beyond where I been. When I tell you she’s a dog, she comes out to practice…she comes through; 10.5s, 10.3s. That’s smashing the world record Flo-Jo put together. If that’s what she’s doing in practice, it’s only going to be a matter of time if she puts together in a real meet.”

Richardson was set to go head-to-head with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at a meet in Kenya on Saturday but withdrew from the race days before the event. She has yet to open her 2022 season. Despite obvious struggles to reach her peak on the track, Gatlin believes Richardson is on her way to an illustrious sprinting career.

“Usually people have an attribute for being fast out the block or finishing a race strong, but she has the talent of perfect technique which is crazy. The sky’s the limit when it comes to her track wise and sport wise,” he said pointing out that if focused, Richardson could become the greatest female sprinter in the sport’s history.

“The greatest female sprinter period. I am only saying this because as I said, I watched her train. I watched her compete , I watched what her mentality is and its so close to what I was and what I was thinking when I was running. I think she has staying power, she’s gonna stay in the game”