Jackson Richardson is a retired French handball player. Regarded as one of the best and most influential handball players of his era, Richardson won fourteen titles at club level and the World Championship in 1995 and 2001 with the French national team. He was awarded IHF World Player of the Year in 1995, and voted the most valuable player at the World Championships in 1990 and 1995, and the 2000 European Championship.

The 2001 World Men's Handball Championship took place in France from 23 January to 4 February 2001. It was the 17th edition of the World Championship in team handball and the hosts won the championship.