Sha’Carri Richardson Isn’t as Tall as You Might Think—Here’s How She Compares to Her Track Teammates

It’s week two of the Paris Olympics and that means one thing: it’s time for the track stars to shine. When it comes to athletes’ heights on Team USA, there’s no height requirement for being successful, but different distances require different things from the body.

Related: Here’s how tall the Team USA gymnasts are

The marathon, for example, causes runners to primarily develop slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are smaller and more efficient for endurance activities with regard to oxygen and energy usage, especially over 26.2 miles. This is why, at an elite level, marathoners are often incredibly lean.

Conversely, a sprinter requires solid muscles for explosive speed, relying heavily on fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are larger and designed for short bursts of power. Unlike marathoners, sprinters don’t need to carry their body weight over long distances, either, so having a higher muscle mass is not a disadvantage.

Again, there are no height constraints when it comes to being a successful track athlete—but genetics with regard to build can have an advantage.

How tall is the USA track team?