Sha'Carri Richardson won't run at Tokyo Olympics after being left off U.S. relay list

[bluedigger]

Source: ESPN

Banned sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was not on the Olympic roster released Tuesday by USA Track and Field, a decision that means the American's positive test for marijuana will cost her a chance at running on the relay team in Tokyo, in addition to her spot in the 100-meter individual race.

Richardson's positive test nullified her win at Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, last month and the spot that went with it in Tokyo in the 100. Her 30-day suspension will end before the start of the relays on Aug. 5, which left open the possibility she could win a medal as part of the 4x100 relay team.

But her name was not on the roster USATF sent out. The federation had two discretionary picks beyond the top four finishers in the 100-meter final at trials but chose not to offer a spot to the 21-year-old sprinter, who was expected to challenge for Olympic gold.

...

But where some professional leagues, such as the NFL, NHL and NBA, have greatly reduced enforcement of marijuana rules, with the acknowledgement that the drug does not enhance performance, the Olympic world continues to test for and punish use in some circumstances. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, in addition to substances that trigger performance enhancement, the banned list can include drugs that can pose health risks to athletes or violate the "spirit of sport."

Read more: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31772245/shacarri-richardson-run-tokyo-olympics-being-left-us-relay-list

---

"violate the 'spirit of sport." It's almost like they really believe that all those cups athletes compete for weren't meant to hold spirits. smh

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Would be ironic if by "following the Rules", the U.S. lost a gold medal in running.

[NoRethugFriends]

2. Countries don't win medals. Althletes win medals (nt)

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Vicariously they do

[NoRethugFriends]

18. That's what I dislike about the Olympics. (nt)

[Mr. Evil]

4. I wish the entire US Olympic delegation would say,

"If Sha'Carri doesn't go, we don't go."

[HUAJIAO]

8. ME TOO!!!

[Sneederbunk]

13. Somehow, I don't think it works that way.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. This is so very wrong

This amazing lady should be allowed to compete

[ananda]

6. I presume she knew the rules...

Nuff said.

[Dream Girl]

9. Rules don't apply evenly to everyone

Nuff said.I hope the US Olympic team loses.

[Polybius]

24. Do you think that she wouldn't be punished if she was white?

Not saying that you think that, just asking.

[Dr. Strange]

25. Who do you think they're not applying to?

[madville]

28. I would lose my job for a positive THC test result

So I don’t do it. It’s not even my employer’s policy, it’s because my position requires a CDL so we have to follow federal DOT regulations and have random tests.

[onetexan]

34. +1 -K&R

Im with u on this one. Rules are rules as Biden has said.

[madville]

29. I would lose my job for a positive THC test result

So I don’t do it. It’s not even my employer’s policy, it’s because my position requires a CDL so we have to follow federal DOT regulations and have random tests.

[Luciferous]

30. Yeah, if it's against the rules then that's on her.

[UnderThisLaw]

33. Her suspension would be over

by the time the relays are run, per the article which I assume you read. Not sure what rules are being broken by granting her a spot on the team

[ruet]

35. Maybe...

the "team" thinks the punishment is appropriate. More importantly, her qualifying time, which allowed her to represent the team was disqualified. Therefore she did not actually make the "team"

[UnderThisLaw]

37. Evidently you didn't read the article either

There were two discretionary spots which could have gone to her. However, if it makes you feel better to pretend she isn’t one of the best the country has in this event , please proceed

[randr]

7. Fuck the Olympics

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. It isn't just a US issue

They really have no choice. Marijuana and THC are on the International Olympic Committee's banned list. It's a shame, but she knew the rules

[TheRickles]

12. She knew the rules, but we don't know when she actually smoked the MJ.

If it was on the day of the competition, then that's that because it affected her performance in the race (by making her less anxious). But if she smoked it a couple of days beforehand, then it would have had no effect on her performance, but due to the quirky nature of THC metabolism, it would still have showed up in her testing. The USOC could have let her compete in the relay as a way of saying that testing for this legal recreational drug isn't accurate enough to answer the question of whether it was enhancing her performance on that particular day.

But that would be a pretty progressive thing to do, which is why the USOC didn't do it.

[bdamomma]

11. Move on petition

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/let-sha-carri-run?source=rawlink&utm_source=rawlink&share=85a24343-865f-465f-aee1-31565d6c35d9

[Sneederbunk]

14. She has been far more standup on this than some of her supporters.

[zeusdogmom]

16. Yes she has

Have to give her credit for owning her mistake

[JohnSJ]

20. Exactly

[zeusdogmom]

15. She made a bad business decision

All of the Olympic hopefuls - including Ms Richardson - know the rules. Is the marijuana ban a silly rule? Perhaps. But for this year’s Olympic Games, it is the rule. Someone who abided by the rules was rewarded with a spot on the USA team.

[marble falls]

17. Screw those nitwits. They're afraid she'll really kick ass straight.

[Jedi Guy]

19. USATF and USADA are afraid she'll do well and win medals for the US?

That seems... unlikely.

[marble falls]

21. But she won't leave any for the others. Pot is a performance enhancer?

[Jedi Guy]

22. Whether it is or it isn't, it's against the rules, which she apparently knew.

Whether or not the rule is dumb is a whole separate conversation. Until the rule is changed, you abide by it or you don't play. It's that simple.

[madville]

23. That makes zero sense

US Olympic officials don’t want a great athlete there because she might win for the US? What are you smoking? Lol j/k

[The Unmitigated Gall]

26. The Olympics won't be running on my TV

Oh well...

[stopdiggin]

27. sad. but this is really on the young lady herself

(and as a couple of previous posts have pointed out, she owned it immediately. more power to her.)

Can't see any real solid rationale why other individuals or governing bodies should bend the rules to accommodate an individual that knowingly broke them. Change the rules? Sure, that makes sense. Different rules or special dispensation for popular (or exceptional) talents? Nope.

[RVN VET71]

31. Two things:

1. It’s a stupid, empty-headed rule that exists for its own sake and not because it protects the integrity of the competition.
2. She knew the rule, she understood the rule, and she has admitted that she screwed up.

Oh, and a third thing:

3. Ms Richardson may be missing out on participating in the biggest debacle in Olympics history. Olympics have always been of dubious value to the world. Certainly, in America and on American TV, it has always been as if only American athletes were competing. But in Japan today, a country that has been woeful clumsy in its distribution of vaccines, a country where covid-19 is still afflicting thousands, there is no justification for running them. Athletes who have not been vaccinated are at risk. Some who have been vaccinated will be at risk. Spectators crowding the stands -- albeit with some restrictions on seating -- will be at risk.

[Marcuse]

32. #3 is why I'm not going.

[ruet]

36. Wiley & Acho react to Sha'Carri Richardson not running in Tokyo Olympics

Two of the best in the biz.

[Dr. Strange]

38. That was pretty good.