Sha’Carri Richardson: US sprinter will miss Tokyo Olympics in wake of suspension over marijuana test

Superstar US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson won’t be competing in the Tokyo Olympics at all this summer, after USA Track and Field decided not to include her in its 4×100 relay lineup in the wake of her one-month suspension over a positive marijuana test.

Last week, USATF announced the runner, who became an overnight star after a dominant performance in the 100 meter sprint at the US Olympic trials, would be suspended for a month after the drug test. However, there was still a chance she would compete later in the Games once the suspension was over.

Then, on Tuesday, the US track body announced the 21-year-old wouldn’t make the roster for the relay because of the drug test, ending her Olympic hopes.

“While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC [a chemical in marijuana] should be reevaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the US Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games,” the organisation said in a statement on Tuesday. “All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances.”