Twanisha Terry, “TeeTee”, is a rising American sprint star specialising in the 100 meters. Born in 1999, she burst onto the scene as a teenager, running 10.99 seconds at age 19, making her one of the fastest under-20 women ever.
She has won multiple gold medals with the U.S. women’s 4x100m relay team at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships. Terry competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and continues to build her career as a professional athlete sponsored by Nike.
Recently, Twanisha Terry “TeeTee” faced more than just tough competition at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou. After the U.S. women’s 4x100m relay team finished fourth with a time of 42.38 seconds. Falling short of qualifying for the World Championships. Terry encountered a wave of criticism from fans online. However, she responded with candid frustration and a strong message about respect and resilience.
The relay’s outcome was a bitter pill for the American sprinter, especially as Great Britain claimed gold with a close 42.21 seconds. Yet, it wasn’t just the race result that challenged Terry; some fans took to social media with disrespectful comments. One fan’s harsh tweet prompted Terry’s sharp reply. “LMAOOOOOO, how do you follow me but tweet like you hate me?” Twanisha Terry’s response quickly highlighted the emotional toll criticism can take on athletes who pour their hearts into every race.
Twanisha Terry didn’t stop there. She openly addressed the negativity, emphasising that the real issue arises when fans cross the line into name-calling and disrespect. Her stance resonates with fellow U.S. sprinter Gabby Thomas, who has also publicly confronted online criticism. Showing how mental toughness is as crucial as physical speed in elite track and field.
This incident sheds light on the pressures athletes endure beyond the track. Navigating public scrutiny while striving to perform at their best. Twanisha Terry’s bold response reminds us that behind every finish line is a human being deserving of respect, no matter the outcome.
