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On June 18, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon, Sha’Carri Richardson reacts after racing in the first round of the Women’s 100 Meter during day one of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field. Getty Images/Steph Chambers After failing a marijuana test, track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended from the US Olympic squad for one month. The 21-year-old will be unable to compete in the women’s 100-meter dash at the Tokyo Olympics due to her suspension. That event will take place during her suspension, which she accepted when the US Anti-Doping Agency issued it. However, she may still be able to race in the 4×100-meter relay. After her suspension, which began on Monday, the relay will take place. Richardson remarked on NBC’s “TODAY” show on Friday, “I want to accept responsibility for my acts.” “I’m well aware of my responsibilities.” Richardson revealed during her interview that she consumed marijuana-laced food days before competing in the United States Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, after learning from a reporter that her biological mother had died. In Oregon, marijuana is legal. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency considers it to be a prohibited substance. After winning the 100-meter trials in Eugene, Richard tested positive for THC, the primary ingredient in marijuana. Hearing the news about her mother “put me into a state of emotional fear,” she added. After hearing the news, Richardson said she was “blinded by emotions” and “hurting.” “I apologize to my friends, my family, my sponsorship, and, yeah, to the haters as well,” she stated. “As disappointed as I am, I am aware that when I get onto the track, I am not representing myself. I represent a community that has offered me tremendous love and support “According to Richardson. “I just want to say, don’t judge me because I’m human, I’m you, I just happen to run a little faster.” “The standards are clear, but this is devastating on many levels,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency. “Hopefully, despite the financial implications of this one to her, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will serve as an important example to us all that we can effectively overcome our bad actions,” Tygart said. The World Anti-Doping Code “newly designates THC as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ because it is extensively used in society beyond the context of sport,” according to the body. Athletes who test positive for such a substance are usually suspended for three months unless they can show that their usage “occurred outside of competition and was unrelated to sport performance,” according to the agency. However, if an athlete completes a counseling program, like Richardson did, the punishment is lowered to one month. Anti-doping laws require a one-month suspension as a minimum. Richardson received the same sentence as two other athletes under the new World Anti-Doping Code of 2021, according to the agency. “Sha’Carri Richardson’s situation is terribly tragic and devastating for everyone concerned,” the US Track and Field Team said in a statement released on Twitter. “Athlete health and well-being is a top priority for the USATF, and we’ll work with Sha’Carri to make sure she gets the services she needs to overcome any mental health issues she may have now and in the future.”/nRead More

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