“Sanya, a champion.” That’s what they used to call her at Vaz Preparatory School in Kingston. Long before the world knew her name. Long before the gold medals and the Olympic glory, Sanya Richards-Ross was just a little girl with a dream scribbled in a note to her teacher at age nine: “I want to be an Olympic gold medalist” (as recalled by her later). For years, it was something she and her mother would laugh about. A dream preserved like a keepsake. Her mom would pull out that letter and smile, reminding her daughter that greatness had always been in her plans. But Sanya had history. Before securing one gold medal after another for the United States, her roots lay elsewhere.
“I didn’t realize that you were actually born in Jamaica”: Richard Ross has heard enough of that comment. It was at that point when she would inform people, not only was she born in Jamaica, but she had spent 12 long years there! But to chase her larger-than-life track dream, Sanya had to make a massive move. She left Jamaica behind and headed to the United States. Now, you might assume it was all about better training or bigger opportunities. But as Sanya herself recently revealed on Meet The Mitchells, that wasn’t the real reason.
In truth, the track and field athlete’s journey to the U.S. wasn’t fueled by ambition but by something more personal. It wasn’t about finding faster tracks or shinier medals—it was about family, sacrifice, and starting over. And once she got there, the transition wasn’t easy. “There was no group track. It was hard to find a team,” she recalled. Imagine being a young track and field athlete used to the vibrant energy of Jamaican youth athletics, only to find empty lanes and no starting gun. It was a jarring change.
However, fast forward a few years, and Sanya was back on Jamaican soil—but this time wearing USA colors at the 2002 IAAF World Junior Championships in Kingston. You’d think it would be a proud homecoming. Instead, it was… complicated.
“I’ll be honest, in the beginning, it was difficult,” Sanya Richards-Ross admitted. “I came and I ran for the World Juniors, and the Jamaicans were booing me.” For a 17-year-old, it stung. The very place where her dream began had turned cold. But over time, she began to understand it differently. “I realized it was more a language of love, right? Because they wanted me to be with them. But it was hard on me.” Hard, yes—but not the end of the story.
Sanya didn’t turn her back on Jamaica. She came back. She gave back. She helped raise money, launched a foundation, and most importantly—she never forgot where she came from. “Things turned around. And I feel very loved now by the Jamaicans,” she said warmly.
Now 40 and an icon in the sport, Sanya recently returned to her roots in a new way—serving as an analyst for the Jamaican chapter of the Grand Slam Track. For her, it wasn’t just another gig. It was a full-circle moment. The girl who once left Kingston with a dream in her heart came back with her legacy etched in gold. Furthermore, her effort to keep Jamaica included in her story didn’t stop there. Evidence?
The track and field athlete keeps coming back to her roots
The Olympic gold medalist and Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Sanya Richards-Ross, has never turned her back on her roots. In fact, she’s been intentional about keeping Jamaica a central part of her story—and her family’s too. In 2023, Sanya brought the whole crew home to celebrate a special milestone: the sixth birthday of her son, Aaron Jermaine Ross II, affectionately known as “Deuce.” Together with her husband, NFL champion Aaron Ross, the family soaked in the island vibes, giving young Deuce a birthday celebration wrapped in culture, sunshine, and love. And if you thought that was the only time Sanya brought a spotlight to the island, think again.
In 2022, the track and field legend made waves by hosting her Real Housewives of Atlanta castmates for a glamorous three-episode Jamaican getaway. According to Caribbean National Weekly, the ladies checked into Ocean Eden Bay, one of the island’s newest and most luxurious five-star resorts. The trip wasn’t just about cocktails and coastlines, though—they also paid a visit to the National Stadium track, where so many of Jamaica’s sprint legends have left their mark. It was part vacation, part homecoming, and 100% Sanya. However, her love for Jamaica runs deeper than TV moments and birthday celebrations.
In 2012, Sanya Richards-Ross returned to her childhood school, Vaz Preparatory, where she once first heard the words, “Sanya, a champion.” There, she gave an inspiring speech to the student body and donated $10,000 to support the next generation of dreamers. So, it’s clear: Sanya Richards-Ross never left Jamaica behind—she carries it with her, wherever she goes.
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