Sha’Carri Richardson will not be able to run in the 100m at the Olympics after positive for marijuana use

(CNN) – American athletics star Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended for a month from the Olympic team after testing positive for THC, a chemical found in marijuana, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA, for its acronym in English) announced on Friday. ).
“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; Hopefully, your acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to all of us that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this for her, ”said USADA President Travis T. Tygart, it’s a statement.

Richardson appeared on NBC’s TODAY show on Friday morning and said, “I just want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did, I know what I am supposed to do, I can not make that decision. I’m not making an excuse or looking for empathy in my case.

I am human

– Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 1, 2021

Richardson had clinched a place in the Tokyo Olympics with a victory in the women’s 100 meters at the US Olympic track and field events in Eugene, Oregon, last month. Due to the positive test, his Olympic test results were automatically disqualified and he will not be allowed to participate in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics.

It is unclear if Richardson will miss the Games entirely. She may still be eligible to compete in another event in addition to the 100m, such as the 4 × 100m relay. CNN has reached out to the US team to clarify the situation.

What does the American anti-doping agency say?

The USADA statement on Friday reads: “Richardson’s competitive results obtained on June 19, 2021, including his Olympic qualification results in team events, have been disqualified and he loses any medals, points and awards. Beyond the one-month sanction, the athlete’s eligibility for the Tokyo Games is determined by the USOPC and / or USA Track & Field rules.

Richardson cited a reporter’s revelation that his biological mother had passed away as part of the reason he was using marijuana, saying: ‘I was thinking it would be a normal interview and then in the interview I hear that this information comes from a complete weird, it was definitely triggering, it was shocking because it’s like who are you to tell me that? “

“From there just blinded by emotions, blinded by bad news, blinded by just hiding the pain, honestly by the fact that I can’t hide, so at least somehow, I was trying to hide my pain.”

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Cannabis is labeled a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and USADA as it “poses a health risk to athletes, has the potential to enhance performance, and violates the spirit of sport.”

Everything I do comes from me naturally. There are no steroids. There is nothing. This incident was about marijuana. After my sanctions end, I will come back and be able to compete and every time I enter the track I will be ready to compete for whatever anti-doping agency comes along for whatever I need, ”Richardson concluded.

“The Sha’Carri Richardson situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved,” USA Track and Field said in a statement. “The health and well-being of athletes continues to be one of the USATF’s most critical priorities and we will work with Sha’Carri to ensure that she has ample resources to overcome any mental health challenges now and in the future.”

CNN’s Aleks Klosok and Jill Martin contributed to this report.