American sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson could miss the Tokyo Olympics this month after she tested positive for marijuana. According to the New York Times, Richardson won the women’s 100-meter race at the US track and field trials in Oregon last month, but her positive test invalidates her result.
The 21-year-old Richardson has accepted the one-month period of suspension that began on June 28. NBC News reports that while the suspension takes the athlete out of running at the Tokyo Games, she may still have a chance to run the 4×100 meter relay.
According to the Washington Post, Sha’Carri confirmed that she used marijuana at the US Olympic trials to cope after learning from a reporter during an interview that her biological mother had passed away. Richardson was raised by her grandmother.
Athletes who test positive for substance abuse usually receive a 3-month suspension if they can prove that they used it out of competition and was unrelated to sport performances. Richardson completed a counselling program regarding her cannabis use and the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) ruled her down to one month.
Richardson apologised to the public, fans and sponsors and took full responsibility for her actions. Here are some reactions from fans and Sha’Carri herself.
Damnit!!! Why did these old tweets from Sha’Carri Richardson have to resurface?! It makes it hard to feel sorry for her being kicked from Olympics. #Olympics #ShacarriRichardson pic.twitter.com/iBPyRJEDEg
— The Bitchelorette (@TBitchelorette) July 4, 2021
This Sha’Carri Richardson moment is upsetting because at this stage in the game with legalization/decriminalization marijuana should be looked at in the same way as alcohol. It is also heartbreaking because of homophobic tweets from as recent as March that are now surfacing.
— Joseph (They/Them) (@heymissjoseph) July 2, 2021
I am human
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 1, 2021
The support ??my community I thank y’all , the negative forget y’all and enjoy the games because we all know it won’t be the same ?.
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 4, 2021
All these perfect people that know how to live life , I’m glad I’m not one of them!
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 4, 2021
I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year ??⚡️.
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 4, 2021
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Picture: Twitter / The New York Times