Track star Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended for one month from the U.S. Olympic group after stopping working a test for cannabis usage.
Richardson’s suspension suggests that the 21-year-old cannot complete in the females’s 100-meter race at the Tokyo Olympics, which starts July 23.
That occasion, which she had actually been preferred to win, will take place simply after completion of her suspension provided by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which she accepted.
But she cannot run in the occasion due to the fact that the favorable drug test revoked her efficiency previously in June throughout the U.S. Olympic trials, which had actually initially certified her for the Tokyo Games.
It is possible that she might still complete in the 4-x-100-meter relay, whose individuals are picked by U.S. track and field authorities.
“I want to take responsibility for my actions,” Richardson stated on NBC’s “TODAY” program Friday. “I know what I’m supposed to do.”
Richardson stated throughout her interview that she consumed something with cannabis in it prior to she completed in the U.S. trials in Eugene, Oregon, after being stunned to gain from a press reporter that her biological mom had actually passed away.
Marijuana usage is legal in Oregon. But it is a prohibited compound by World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines.
Richardson evaluated favorable for THC, the active chemical in cannabis, after her win in the 100-meter trials in Eugene.
“That sent me into … a state of emotional panic,” she stated of hearing the news about her mom.
Richardson, who was raised by her granny, stated she was “blinded by emotions” and was “hurting” after getting the news.
“I would like to say to my friends, to my family, to my sponsorship, um, to the haters too, I apologize,” she stated.
“As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on the track, I don’t represent myself. I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love,” Richardson stated. “Standing here, I just say, don’t judge me, because I am human, I’m you, I just happen to run a little faster.”
“This will be the last time the U.S. doesn’t come home with a gold medal in the 100,” Richardson stated.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart stated in a declaration, “The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels.”
“Hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her,” Tygart stated.
The firm kept in mind that the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code “newly classifies THC as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ because it is frequently used in society outside the context of sport.”
Normally, a professional athlete who evaluates favorable for such a compound is suspended for 3 months if they develop that their usage of it “occurred out of competition and was unrelated to sport performance,” the firm kept in mind.
But the suspension is minimized to one month if a professional athlete finishes a therapy program, which Richardson did.
The minimum suspension under anti-doping guidelines is one month. The firm kept in mind that Richardson got the very same penalty that 2 other professional athletes gotten from the firm under the brand-new World Anti-Doping code.
The U.S. Track and Field Team in a declaration published on Twitter stated, “Sha’Carri Richardson’s situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved.”
“Athlete health and well-being continue to be one of the USATF’s most critical priorities and we will work with Sha’Carri to ensure she has ample resources to overcome any mental health challenges now and in the future.”
Nike, the athletic garments giant, which sponsors Richardson, stated in a declaration, “We appreciate Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her through this time.”
— CNBC’s Jessica Golden added to this report.
Disclosure: CNBC moms and dad NBCUniversal owns NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. NBC Olympics is the U.S. broadcast rights holder to all Summer and Winter Olympic Games through 2032.
