Winning the women’s Olympic Trials in the 100 meters June 19 at Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon, it didn’t take long for a United States Anti-doping Agency [USADA] blood test to disqualify 21-year-old Sha’Carri Richardson due to the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, the active ingredient in medical or recreational cannabis AKA marijuana. Considered one of the premier events in the Summer Olympics, the 100-meter champion claims the title of the world’s fastest women. On the men’s side, the winner claims the title of world’s fastest human. Poised to possibly win a gold medal in Toyko, Sha’Carri was disqualified under a 30-day suspension that will prevent her from competing at the 100-meters in Tokyo. Because of scheduling differences with the women’s 4×100 relay, Richardson will be permitted to compete in Toyko 30-days after her June 28 suspension.
USADA subscribes to rules governed by the international body, the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA], concerned about keeping performance enhancing drugs out of amateur athletic competitions like the Olympic games or Olympic trials. Reactions to Sha’Carri’s suspension drew condemnations from all over the sports word prompting White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to say the White House had no plans to intervene on Sha’Carri’s behalf. But fair is fair. Cannabis, like alcohol, is not a performance-enhancing drug, in fact, just the opposite, likely to detract from any performance. Richardson told the press she used some weed in Oregon, where it’s legal for recreational use, to help her cope with the loss of her biological mother. ”It sent me into a state of emotional panic,” Sha’Carri said. “I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.”
But whether Sha’Carri chose to use recreational weed or not, it’s a banned substance at WADA and USADA, because its on a banned list of substances that doesn’t include alcohol. Hollywood cctor Seth Rogan said the USADA suspension was racist because it discriminates against African Americans, where cannabis isn’t seen as different from alcohol. “I greatly apologize if I let you guys down, and I did,” Richardson said, devastated by the reality that she’s been disqualified by USA Track & Field, giving her first place finish to the second place, bailing out the fourth place finisher Jenna Prandini, now part of the U.S. women’s Olympic 100-meters team. Due to the automatic 30-day suspension, Richardson is eligible for reinstatements July 30, in time to run the 4x100m relay but not the 100m dash. Unless there’s some intervention, Sha’Carri won’t run in the glamorous 100 meters.
Richardson’s suspension for using a substance the equivalent of alcohol is long overdue when it comes to revising the WADA and USADA rules. Whether an obsolete rule exists or not, the overwhelming consensus among amateur and professional athletes is that cannabis should not be grounds for suspension from any sport. While Psaki said Biden has no intent to intervene for Sha-Carri, there’s no reason he can’t call close U.S. ally Polish President Andrzej Duda to talk with 36-year-old former Polish Olympian Witol Banka, formerly Minister of Tourism, now President of WADA. Calling Duda could potentially change the obsolete rule when it applies to cannabis, making Sha-Carri’s suspension a moot point. As long a cannabis was legal in Oregon, there’s no reason Banka can’t change the rule related to cannabis as banned substance for the purposes of WADA.
Richardson made an honest admission, mea culpa and plea after the USADA lowered the boom on her for an obsolete WADA rule. “I just say, don’t judge me and I am human—I’m you. I just happen to run a little faster,” asking WADA and the USADA to intervene to allow her to run in the 100 meters. “They don’t necessarily understand and I wouldn’t ever call they haters.” Sha-Carri could be excluded for the 4x100m relay because technically the U.S. Olympic Committee must take six athletes, but give the spots to the top four finishers in the Olympic Trials. Technically, Richardson could still be excluded from participation, because he first-place finish was already vacated by U.S. Track and Field, the national governing body. “While we are heartbroken, the USOPC is steadfast in its commitment to clean competition and it support the anti-doping code,” said the USOPC.
USOPC must clean up its language and accept that alcohol or cannabis are not performance enhancing drugs, and, under no one’s definition can fit the mission of WADA or USADA to keep athletes on a level playing field. If athletes throw back some cold ones, that doesn’t affect their performance in amateur athletic competition any more that using medical or recreational cannabis. “A positive test for any banned substance comes with consequences and we are working with the USATF to determine the appropriate next steps. We are dedicated to providing Sha’Carri the support services she needs during this difficult time.” USATF knows that the ban against cannabis is obsolete, having nothing to do with doping any more than alcohol. If the USTAF wants to support Sha-Carri they will immediately work with WADA to reverse the obsolete ban on cannabis in amateur athletics.
