Abortion revelation helped others: Richards-Ross

LONDON: American athletics great Sanya Richards-Ross says revealing in her autobiography she had an abortion on the eve of leaving for the 2008 Beijing Olympics has helped the healing process for many women.

The 34-year-old Jamaican-born 400 metres specialist — who won Olympic individual gold in 2012 in London and silver in Beijing — told the BBC on Tuesday that after going public she had been contacted by women from across the world who also had abortions.

After her book ‘Chasing Grace’ came out, Richards-Ross — who also won three Olympic 4x400m relay titles — claimed every female athlete she knows has had an abortion but the issue is “not talked about”.

“There is a brokenness there,” the American told BBC Radio.“For me, it was really healing to be able to share that with other friends. Now I’ve had other women reach out to me, not just in track and field but all over the world. They’ve said ‘your courage is helping me to heal myself’.”However, Richards-Ross clarified the remark about every female athlete she knew having had an abortion.“I feel bad because I think people misinterpreted when I said ‘everyone I know’,” said Richards-Ross, who retired from the sport last year.