Sha’Carri Richardson will not compete in the Summer Olympics. While Richardson was able to compete, USA Track and Field chose to go in a different way, and while he was eligible, the organization chose to go in a different direction. Richardson, who won the 100 meter dash in the US Olympic Trials and was considered a favorite to win gold in that event, tested positive for marijuana and was given a one-month suspension, preventing her from competing in Tokyo.
Richardson still had a chance to make the team by competing in the 4100 relay. She would have needed one of the two discretionary spots chosen by the team’s coach, but those went to English Gardner and Aleia Hobbs, who finished second and third in the 100 meter dash during trials, respectively.
In a statement, USATF clarified its position, noting that while there is agreement that the World Anti-Doping Agency’s view on THC should be reconsidered, it will nonetheless respect those guidelines.
“While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC should be reevaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games,” the organization said in the statement, per USA Today.
“All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances.”
USATF told USA Today that Gardner and Hobbs were selected to fill the two discretionary spots on the roster before Richardson’s suspension from the 100 meters.
