A positive marijuana test reportedly came at the U.S. Olympic trials last month where she won the 100m sprint.
Sha’Carri Richardson has tested positive for cannabis, sources have told Reuters, and she is unlikely to get the chance to challenge for the Olympic 100-metres title in Tokyo later this month. According to one source, the positive test came at the U.S. Olympic trials last month where Richardson by winning the 100m in 10.86 seconds.
A positive test during the trials would mean all of Richardson’s results from the meet would be wiped out, thus voiding her victory in the 100m final. Another source familiar with the matter said that Jenna Prandini, who finished fourth in the final, had already been approached to run for the U.S. in the 100m in Tokyo.
A request for a statement was unanswered by Richardson’s agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and U.S.A Track and Field (USATF) on Thursday.
In a cryptic tweet earlier in the day, Richardson wrote: “I am human.”
The 21-year-old will appeared on NBC’s Today Show on Friday, the network confirmed to Reuters.
Richardson was billed to run in the 200m at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting in Sweden this weekend but she was not on the entry list for the race the meet’s official website on Thursday.
Cannabis is currently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
If athletes can prove that their ingestion of the substance was unrelated to sports performance then a suspension of three months rather than the typical four years is imposed. If an athlete is willing to undertake an approved treatment program in collaboration with their national anti-doping body then the ban can be reduced to one month.
The Texan was aiming to become the first American woman to win the Olympic 100m title since Gail Devers back in 1996. Richardson posted results of 10.72 seconds in April – one of her five runs under 11 seconds this season. A 30-day ban backdated to the time of the adverse result could leave Richardson clear to race in the 4x100m relay at the Olympics on Aug. 6, if selected by USATF. Richardson could also appeal any sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as could any other sports body who felt a punishment was too lenient.