The 2023 USA Track and Field indoor championships were being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Olympian long jumper, Tara Davis-Woodhall, set her name to the national title. She won the event with a grand jump of 6.99 meters, on February 17. Unfortunately, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced on Tuesday that Tara has tested positive for a drug test, leading to stringent actions against her win.

The athlete’s national indoor title was canceled along with a month-long suspension from competing. If reports are to be believed, the authorities found Cannabis-positive test results in her sample that was taken on the same day of the championship.

Tara Davis-Woodhall receives a major blow to her illustrious career

According to CNN, USADA revealed that the 23-year-old track and field star’s test was affirmative of THC, a chemical component present in Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hashish. Therefore, she was stripped off of any and all the achievements at this year’s indoor championship, which includes her title, medals, points, and prizes. She was also barred from all the competitive results on and the following days since the 17th. 

“WADA seeks input on each year’s updated version of the Prohibited List…USADA has advocated and will continue to advocate to WADA, the rule maker, to treat marijuana in a fairer and more effective way to identify true in-competition use,” the organization’s official statement read.

Notably, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the central body for devising rules on prohibited substances, and Cannabis is one of them. The source reported that Davis-Woodhall is already done with her suspension time period, which was exercised since the 21st of March. 

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In 2021, American track star Sha’Carri Richardson also suffered a similar fate at the Tokyo Olympics after she aced the women’s 100 meters at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. After testing positive for marijuana, her title was dismantled, and she was suspended for a month. Moreover, even after her suspension ended, she wasn’t selected for the women’s 4×100-meter relay event, which led her out of the Olympic team. Hence, when addressing the matter to the nation, she made an emotional statement. 

Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

As per sources, the 23-year-old sprinter’s test results subsequently followed a tumultuous controversy. The entire nation debated and pondered over the legitimacy of the decision. However, Richardson decided to take complete responsibility for her actions. She spoke on the TODAY show, “I want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do … and I still made that decision.”

The gold medalist was shocked at her disqualification and tried to reason her drug usage. Sources reveal that her mother passed away days ahead of the race. Thus, she admitted to having used marijuana as a coping method for the sudden tragedy. 

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The ruling bodies are very strict and uncompromising on the use of drugs or performance-enhancing substances. Nevertheless, amid the track athlete’s suspension news, USADA stood in support of her and urged WADA to reconsider some rules. What are your opinions on the matter? Tell us in the comments!