Fans Enraged as Sha’Carri Richardson Falls in Same Trap as Michael Phelps Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021

Team USA was greeted by shocking news earlier today when it was reported that ace sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson had failed one of the tests conducted after her race at the US Olympics trials. 

The news first broke through a Jamaican Daily Newspaper known as The Gleaner, and later through other major newspapers as well. According to the report, Richardson had tested positive for Marijuana. 

The athlete was able to win the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials women’s 100m final in just 10.86 seconds, making her the favorite to win Olympic Gold in Tokyo this year. She also won the hearts of thousands of viewers as she headed on to embrace her grandmother seated in the stands after the victory.

Although, this test result may change everything. A decision has not been announced by authorities yet but it could just alter her involvement in the team and participation in the Tokyo Olympics in general. Richardson also posted a very cryptic tweet earlier on her handle, after it was announced that she would not be competing in the Diamond League in Stockholm.

USA Track and Field will take a decision over Sha’Carri Richardson

While The Gleaner originally released the news, the report was further supported by Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer and Kevin Draper and Juliet Macur of The New York Times. According to these two reports, Richardson had tested positive only for Marijuana and not steroids. 

The decision will fall on the balanced argument of whether marijuana can be considered a performance-enhancing drug or not. Regardless The Enquirer ascertains that she is facing a 30-day suspension. The positive test result will also most likely ensure her trials performance being voided.

However, there is still hope for her to compete at the Tokyo Olympics as she is in the clear for the 4x100m relay event. That is a decision the USA Track and Field authorizes will have to make in the coming days. Her involvement in the 100m race, however, is highly debated now. 

Other athletes took to Twitter to express their frustration over the decision while many also question the possibility of the Jamaican newspaper receiving the news of a USA track and field event before the source country itself. 

Needless to say, there will be a lot around Sha’Carri Richardson in the coming days and only time will tell if this setback proves to be derailing for her Olympic campaign after all.