U.S. sprinter Richardson banned from Olympic 100m after cannabis test

Athletics – Diamond League – Gateshead – Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead, United Kingdom – May 23, 2021 Sha’Carri Richardson of USA celebrates victory in her women’s REUTERS / Lee Smith 100m race

• The sprinter’s 100 m Olympic qualification result was canceled
• “I am human,” says Richardson of what happened after my mother died
• Americans can potentially race in the 4 x 100 meter relay

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 2 (Reuters) – American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, expected to be one of the biggest draws in the Tokyo Olympics, will miss the 100 meters at the Games after receiving a month-long suspension for positive Accepted cannabis testing in her victory in the US trials in June.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed the ban on Friday, although the 21-year-old still has a chance to compete in the Olympic relays.

The positive test came in the US Olympics when Richardson underscored her credentials as a serious contender for the gold medal by winning the 100m in 10.86 seconds.

The women’s 100-meter race in Tokyo begins July 30, two days after Richardson’s suspension ends, but the negative finding means that their Olympic qualifying results in the trials automatically places the top three qualified female athletes in each discipline offer to be canceled.

“The rules are clear, but it’s heartbreaking on many levels,” said Travis Tygart, USADA CEO. “Your acceptance of responsibility and your apology will hopefully be an important example to all of us that we can successfully master our regrettable decisions despite the costly consequences for them.”

Richardson said in an NBC interview on the Today Show Friday that her action came while she was studying news of her mother’s death.

“As I tweeted yesterday, I am human. We are human, I want to be as transparent as possible with you guys whether it’s good or bad,” she said.

“But there will never be a steroid attached to the Sha’Carri Richardson name. The charge and the situation was marijuana.”

USADA said its ban was reduced to one month for using cannabis out of competition and it was unrelated to athletic performance. She also successfully completed a counseling program regarding her drug use.

The ban could free Richardson, the fastest American woman this year with a time of 10.72 seconds, to run the 4×100 meter relay at the Olympics in the first week of August if she is one of two athletes selected by USA Track & Field (USATF) to the top of the first four trial finishers.

Sporting goods maker Nike, which sponsors Richardson, said it would stand by her. “We value Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her during this time,” said a statement.

“I HAVE LOTS OF GAMES”

When asked if she was hoping to compete in the Tokyo relay, Richardson said, “Right now, I’m just putting all of my time and energy into doing what I need to heal myself.

“So if I can take this place (at the Olympics) I would be grateful, but if not, I’ll focus on myself now.

“I’m 21, I’m very young. Unlike most of the others, I still have a lot of games inside of me to play and I have a lot of talent that supports me because everything I do comes from me , not a steroid, nothing. ” .

“This incident was about marijuana, so after my sanction expires, I’ll be back and be able to compete in any competitions you need.”

USATF said it would help Richardson with any mental health problem. “Sha’Carri Richardson’s situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved,” she added.

Cannabis is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but if athletes can demonstrate that ingestion is unrelated to performance, a three-month ban is imposed instead of the usual two or four years.

If an athlete is ready to undertake an approved treatment program in collaboration with their national anti-doping agency, the period of ineligibility can be reduced to one month.

Richardson was in Oregon when she used the drug, where it is legal. “I know what I did, I know what to do … and I made that decision anyway,” she said.

Richardson could also appeal any sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) could seek a longer ban. An AIU spokesman said he had requested the case file from the USADA but could not comment on it until the relevant information was considered.

Richardson wanted to become the first American to win the 100m Olympic title since Gail Devers in 1996 after finishing 10.72 seconds in April – one of her five runs under 11 seconds that season.

Her accomplishments, brightly colored hair, and confident statements helped her gain a huge following on social media banning excess testosterone.

Reporting by Kayon Raynor in Kingston, additional reporting by Gene Cherry, Mitch Phillips, Rohith Nair and Frank Pingue; Editing by Hugh Lawson

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