Sha’Carri Richardson will not be going to the Tokyo Olympics at all after the U.S. track coaches decided not to include her on the 4x100-meter relay race, American track officials announced.
Richardson was already suspended 30 days after failing a drug test for marijuana following her victory in the 100-meter dash during trials, but since the relay takes place after her suspension ends, track officials are allowed to pick whomever they want, regardless of what happened at trials.
“All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current antidoping code, and our credibility as the national governing body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances,” USA Track and Field officials said in a statement. “So while our heartfelt understanding lies with Sha’Carri, we must also maintain fairness for all of the athletes who attempted to realize their dreams by securing a place on the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team.”
The latter part of the statement refers to the fact that coaches had already selected members for the relay squad prior to Richardson’s positive test, which would mean removing one of them from the team to make room for Richardson.
Richardson admitted to using marijuana prior to the U.S. trail in Oregon — where weed is legal — as a way to cope with the death of her biological mother, which she learned from a reporter just days before her race.
There has already been much outcry over Richardson’s initial suspension, and leaving her off the team completely sparked some more reaction on social media, including from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Others on social media also sounded off.
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