Sha’Carri Richardson was not named for U.S. relay team, will not compete at the Tokyo Olympics

NBC News— Runner Sha’Carri Richardson has not been named for the U.S. relay team and will not be competing at all in the Tokyo Olympics, officials announced on Tuesday.

The decision follows her positive drug test for marijuana.

Richardson had the opportunity to receive a shortened suspension had she been added to the team.

“While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC should be reevaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following the competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games,” said USA Track & Field in a statement.

While the governing body applauded Richardson’s accountability following the announcement of her suspension last week, it said it could not grant her a special exception despite her “extenuating circumstances”, NBC News reported.

Richardson found out that her biological mother died a week before her Olympic qualifying 100-meter race victory. She said that it was a reporter who had informed her of her mother’s death.

The news was “triggering” and “shocking”, according to Richardson.

“I would like to say to my fans and my family and my sponsorship, to the haters, too, I apologize,” she said. “As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on that track, I don’t represent myself, I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love.”

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