According to reports from both The Jamaica Gleaner and Cincinnati Enquirer, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has tested positive for cannabis and will likely miss the Olympic Games in Tokyo this month. The World Anti-Doping Agency classifies cannabis as a banned substance and her failed test will result in a suspension that could run anywhere from one month to four years.
If Richardson is disqualified, it would be a crushing blow for Team USA. The 21-year old will be replaced by the fourth-place runner from the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials that took place last month. Jenna Prandini ran a time of 11.11 seconds in the 100m final, but it will be hard to make up for Richardson. Having run the sixth fastest 100-meter dash of all-time, Richardson was deemed a top contender to bring home a gold medal later this month.
Richardson took to Twitter with a simple message, which may or may not be related to the situation.
I am human
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 1, 2021
Richardson will not only miss the Olympics later this summer, but she will also miss an opportunity to run the 200m at Diamon League meet in Stockholm this summer.
With an absence that will likely last throughout the summer, there will be no showdown between her and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in Tokyo. At 34 years old, Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica has become the second-fastest woman ever after recording 100m of only 10.63 seconds
Team USA is stacked with very talented runners, but the loss of Richardson to something such as cannabis is truly unfortunate. The result will weaken the chances the U.S. has at taking gold in the 100m. It may also hurt the United States’ 4x100m relay chances.
This story will be updated with more information.
