American Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson Won't Run in Tokyo Olympics 2020 After Positive Drug Test

By Mary Webber First Posted: Jul 07, 2021 12:03 AM EDT

American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has not been included in the U.S. relay team and will not be competing in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 after she tested positive in a drug test.

In a statement, USA Track & Field (USATF) said that Sha'Carri Richardson would not be offered a shortened suspension to compete in the international sports contest later this month, NBC News reported.

The organization noted that it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF changed its policies following the competition, which is only weeks before the Olympic Games.

Sha'Carri Richardson had learned that her biological mother had died a week before the Olympic qualifying trials, which she won after running a 100-meter race.

The athlete apologized to her fans, family, sponsorship, as well as her haters. The American sprinter said she knows when she steps on the track, she does not represent herself but a community that has shown her great support and love.

Sha'Carri Richardson Fails Drug Test

On Friday, July 2, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced that Sha'Carri Richardson would be suspended for marijuana use. The substance is banned under WADA's anti-doping code, according to a USA Today report.

The suspension had ensured that the American sprinter would not be able to run her primary event, which is the 100-meter dash at the Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier, there was a possibility that she could still compete for a medal in the 4x1000 relay, which will happen after her suspension. However, this possibility has been removed as well.

Richardson's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, said that they have not spoken about the incident at all. Nehemiah added that it was not a topic they focused on.

Richardson would have automatically qualified for the team after her winning finish in the 100-meter Olympic trials. But it was invalidated due to the failed drug test.

USATF said their heartfelt understanding lies with Richardson. However, they noted that they must also maintain fairness for all the athletes who tried to realize their dreams by securing a place on the team, ESPN reported.

The American sprinter earlier said the stress of her biological mother's recent passing combined with the pressure of preparing for trial led her to use the substance. In an interview on NBC's "Today" show, she noted that she was trying to hide her pain in some type of way.

Meanwhile, Sha'Carri Richardson remains optimistic despite her current position, saying this is not the end of her Olympic dreams.

She said that she is still very young and has plenty of games left to compete in. She added that after her sanction is up, she will be back and will be able to compete.