US Sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson Tests Positive For Cannabis, Could Miss Tokyo Olympics – Report
American sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson, who wowed the world during Olympic trials last month, has tested positive for cannabis, sources say.
According to Reuters, with the positive result she is unlikely to get the chance to contend for Olympic 100 metres title in Tokyo later this month.
A source familiar with the matter told the publication that the positive test came at U.S. Olympic trials last month after Richardson showcased herself as a gold medal contender by winning the 100m in 10.86 seconds.
Unfortunately, a positive test during the trials would mean all of Richardson’s results from the meet would be wiped out, voiding her victory in the 100m final.
Another source said Jenna Prandini, who finished fourth in the final, had already been approached to run for the U.S. in the 100m in Tokyo.
Richardson did not use steroids, according to a source, and that she is facing a 30-day suspension for testing positive for marijuana.
Richardson’s agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and U.S.A Track and Field (USATF) were yet to make an official statement regarding this, as at the time of filing this report.
In a cryptic tweet on Thursday, Richardson wrote: “I am human“.
I am human
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 1, 2021
The 21-year-old will appear on NBC’s Today Show on Friday, the network confirmed to Reuters.
Richardson was billed to run in the 200m at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting in Sweden this weekend but she was not on the entry list for the race the meet’s official website on Thursday.
Cannabis is banned by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but if athletes can prove that their ingestion of the substance was unrelated to aiding sports performance then a suspension of three months rather than the usual four years is imposed.
If an athlete is willing to undertake an approved treatment programme in collaboration with their national anti-doping body then the ban can be reduced to one month.
The athlete was aiming to become the first American woman to win the Olympic 100m title since Gail Devers in 1996 after posting 10.72 seconds in April – one of her five runs under 11 seconds this season.
A 30-day ban backdated to the time of the adverse result could leave Richardson clear to race in the 4x100m relay at the Olympics on Aug. 6, if selected by USATF.
Another option could be Richardson appealing any sanction to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as could any other sports body who felt a punishment was too lenient.
