LOS ANGELES: Sha’Carri Richardson will not play a role in the Olympics after being abandoned from the United States 4x100m relay squad, Track and Field (USATF) confirmed on Tuesday.
Richardson was ruled out from competing in 100m individuals in Tokyo after receiving a 30-day ban to test positive marijuana after his victory in the US trial last month.
But the competitive prospect as a member of the relay team was left open, with the suspension of Richardson ended before the opening round of the discipline was taking place in Tokyo.
Usatf rules are permitted for 21-year-old players to be chosen as one of the two coach choices in addition to the top four finisher from the 100m women’s final in the US trial.
However, the door was slammed by USATF on Tuesday after 2016 Olympic 4x100m Relay Goldner Medal Gardner and Aleia Hobbs were named as two discretion options to complete a strong collection of six relay.
In a statement, the USATF expressed sympathy for the Richardson case but said it had the responsibility to “maintain justice” for all athletes.
“First and foremost, we are very sympathetic to the state of Sha’Carri Richardson and very clapping the responsibility – and will offer our sustainable support both inside and outside the track,” Usatf said.
“While the USATF fully agrees that the advantages of the world anti-doping body rules related to THC (marijuana) must be re-evaluated, will harm the integrity of the test of the US Olympics team for Track & Field if the USATF changes its policy after, just a few weeks before the Olympics,” he added , “All USATF athletes are equally aware and must comply with the current anti-doping code, and our credibility because the national government body will disappear if the rules are only enforced in certain circumstances.” The USA Today newspaper reported Gardner and Hobbs were told about their choice in the US team before Richardson received a one-month suspension that was reduced to the doping case.
That means that adding Richardson to the squad with one of the discretionary places will need a gardner or Hobbs to be hit by a team.
Richardson drug test failed to surprise the athletic world after being confirmed by the United States anti-doping agency last Friday.
Richardson is one of the rising track and field stars and is considered a potential gold medalist at the Olympics.
Texas charismatic then told NBC television that he had taken marijuana to overcome the “emotional pain” after learning the death of his biological maternal during the US trial last month in Eugene, Oregon.
“I want to tell my fans, my family and my sponsor, I’m sorry,” Richardson said.
“I’m sorry for the fact that I don’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.” Richardson’s case encourages outpouring support from fellow athletes and celebrities, with many anti-doping rules that prohibit marijuana to use in the world of sports.
“It’s rubbish,” US soccer star Megan Rapinoe wrote on Twitter.
“Standing with (Richardson) 100%.
It’s already outdated.” Track and US field legend Michael Johnson also questioned the suspension.
“I don’t know why marijuana is forbidden.
Maybe a good reason.
Maybe not,” Tweeted Johnson, a world champion four times and Olympic champions twice at 400m and the 200 million champion of the world and the Olympics.
“I know how it feels to lose my parents.
Inquordable pain! I am from the same environment as (Richardson) a difficult place! I hope people will stop calling and this ban is stupid unless you know the reason for both.”